Public schools try to protect undocumented students from Trump immigration raids

In response to the Trump administration’s rollback of policies protecting certain locations, including schools, from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, several large U.S. public school districts have taken action to safeguard undocumented students and their families. The administration’s move lifted restrictions on ICE operations at sensitive locations, such as schools, houses of worship, and hospitals, prompting concerns that immigrant students could be targeted.

The U.S. Education Department has made it clear that all children, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to public education. As a result, public school districts typically do not inquire about or retain records of students’ immigration status. However, the recent changes in policy have led to heightened fear among families and educators, especially in large cities with significant undocumented immigrant populations and sanctuary policies in place. These sanctuary laws aim to limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, ensuring immigrants feel safe in their communities.

Several school districts, particularly in cities with large immigrant populations, have moved to protect their students by complicating ICE’s access to schools. Chicago and Denver, for example, have issued strong guidance aimed at limiting ICE agents’ ability to enter school grounds. Chicago Public Schools (CPS), citing the city’s Welcoming City Ordinance, has made it clear that ICE agents can only enter with proper credentials, a specific request for access, and a judicial warrant. CPS also emphasized that the district would not share private information with ICE, even though federal law enforcement may attempt to bypass sensitive location protections.

Similarly, Denver Public Schools issued guidance requiring school officials to deny entry to government agents unless they have an appointment or legitimate business at the school. In cases where government agents attempt to enter, staff are instructed to lockdown the school and direct agents to district attorneys, although they are not to impede the agents’ duties physically. The district’s guidance was issued with the Trump administration’s policy changes in mind, highlighting the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local educational institutions.

In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James have provided guidance to local school districts, including New York City Public Schools and those in Westchester County, instructing school officials to deny access to officers unless there is a safety emergency or a judicial warrant. While the White House maintains that the rollback of sensitive location policies does not aim to target schools directly, it asserts that secondary approval is needed before enforcement actions in schools or churches. However, it has not been reported that ICE has conducted raids at schools since the policy change.

A growing number of school districts across the U.S. have also expressed concern about the impact of the policy shift. Viridiana Carrizales of ImmSchools, a nonprofit organization supporting student rights, reported receiving over 100 inquiries from school districts nationwide seeking advice on how to navigate the changes. Meanwhile, the School District of Philadelphia has instructed its officials not to provide student immigration information unless directed by district lawyers, ensuring compliance with laws while protecting student privacy.

The Salt Lake City School District has taken a firm stance by refusing to share students’ immigration status with federal agents. In contrast, the Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, has stated its commitment to continue collaborating with ICE while expressing concerns about the potential effects of policy changes on the local immigrant community. The district emphasized that its dedication to safety would never come at the cost of students’ rights or access to education.

Overall, many school districts are working to ensure that their immigrant students feel safe despite the administration’s efforts to increase immigration enforcement. They are adopting policies that both comply with federal laws and protect the rights and privacy of their students, particularly those who are undocumented. The tension between local education authorities and federal immigration policies remains a key issue in these districts.