By CAROLYN THOMPSON
As the nation braces for the arrival of President-elect Donald Trump, educational institutions are on high alert regarding potential visits from immigration authorities. Trump’s campaign promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants has prompted schools across the United States to reconsider and reinforce their policies.
In major urban areas, educational leaders are vocalizing their commitment to the rights of immigrant students to receive an education, regardless of their legal status in the country. Notably, California authorities have provided schools with specific guidelines to navigate state laws that restrict local involvement in immigration enforcement.
California Attorney General Bonta addressed the growing concerns, stating, “I know there is a lot of fear and anxiety around the incoming administration’s anticipated changes to immigration policy, and I want to make sure students, their parents, and their teachers and school administrators are prepared.” The comprehensive 54-page document outlines the protections afforded to students under both state and federal law, as well as protocols for responding to law enforcement inquiries.
During Trump’s previous term, debates were rampant about the extent to which schools should comply with immigration authorities, with districts like Chicago taking a firm stance against enforcement actions.
Historically, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection have adhered to policies that discourage arrests at sensitive sites such as schools. However, there is renewed uncertainty about the longevity of these policies under Trump’s administration. The California guidelines warn, “Although the protected area policy remains in effect … it may be modified, superseded, or withdrawn at any time with little notice.”
Efforts by educators to reassure immigrant families are, in part, a response to the estimated 733,000 school-aged children who reside in the U.S. without legal authorization, per the Migration Policy Institute. Schools aim to create a safe environment for these students amidst heightened fears.
Des Moines Public Schools, where a significant portion of students are English language learners, expressed in a statement their understanding of immigrant families’ anxieties: “We understand that fear and uncertainty, especially concerning the potential deportation of family members, can significantly impact our students’ well-being, their attendance, and their ability to learn.”
Similarly, the Chicago Public Schools’ Board of Education recently affirmed a policy that prevents collaboration with ICE, stipulating that immigration agents must present a criminal warrant for entry. New York City schools have also reiterated their stance against collecting students’ immigration status information.
In Vermont, principal Chris Young highlighted the district’s enduring policy requiring law enforcement to produce a warrant to access students: “Clearly, students who are worried about their parents being deported or being deported themselves, I think, are high on our list of kids to worry about.” Young emphasized the importance of schools as safe spaces for students.
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