Katy, a member of the ISD board of directors, asks the district if there is a way to track students’ immigration status

A Katy Independent School District board member called for legislation during Monday’s meeting to track a student’s immigration status.

The trustee, Morgan Calhoun, asked Katy ISD Chief Financial Officer Chris Smith if there was a way to measure or understand how many illegal immigrant children are being educated in their district.

Katy ISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski responded, saying there are certain rules governing the education of all children in Texas, regardless of a student’s immigration status. He said it would be illegal to require someone’s immigration status before he or she could register.

Gregorski also said there are no records the district is required to keep as to whether an enrolled student is a legal or illegal citizen.

“We are all aware of the border crisis. Ten million illegal immigrants have crossed our border in the past three years. Since Joe Biden came to power. It’s not about whether I like him or not,” Calhoun said during the meeting. “This is just a fact that we are dealing with that crisis in our districts.”

In 1982, the Supreme Court ruled that every child has the right 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 a Ludacris policy,” Lira said.

KPRC 2 reached out to Calhoun but has not heard back from her.

In a statement, Katy ISD said they do not inquire about a student’s immigration status or deny enrollment based on it.