Katy ISD board of trustee member asks district if there’s any way to track immigration status of students

A Katy Independent School District board of trustee member called for legislation to allow the tracking of a student’s immigration status during Monday’s meeting.

The trustee, Morgan Calhoun, asked Katy ISD Chief Financial Officer Chris Smith if there was any way to measure or understand how many illegal immigrant children, they have in their district that are receiving education.

Katy ISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski responded, stating there are certain rules to educating all children in Texas—regardless of a student’s immigration status. He said it would be unlawful to require a person’s immigration status for them to be enrolled.

Gregorski also said there is no data the district has to track if an enrolled student is a legal or illegal citizen.

“We are all aware of the border crisis. We have had 10 million illegals come across our border in the last three years. Since Joe Biden has taken office. This isn’t whether I like him or whether I don’t,” Calhoun said during the meeting. “This is just a fact that we are having to deal with that crisis in our districts.”

In 1982, The Supreme Court ruled that every child is entitled to a public education regardless of immigration status.

Dr. Sergio Lira, the President of Greater Houston LULAC 4967 said he was outraged by Calhoun’s comments.

“Mrs. Morgan Calhoun you should consider resigning for proposing such Ludacris policies,” Lira said.

KPRC 2 reached out Calhoun but have yet to hear back from her.

In a statement Katy ISD said they do not inquire about a student’s immigration status nor deny enrollment based on it.