ICE Gains Access to Schools Nationwide, Sparks Concerns

Following President Trump's executive order allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enter schools, educational institutions across the U.S. are adjusting their policies to cope with the potential for on-campus immigration enforcement. While ICE is expected to use this authority sparingly, school officials are preparing for possible encounters and emphasizing the need for legal compliance, particularly protecting student privacy rights. Many districts, including those in Maryland, Ohio, and Virginia, are reassuring families that schools will remain safe spaces and that students’ rights to public education will be upheld, regardless of immigration status. However, there are concerns among students and parents about the environment of fear this policy creates, leading some to take protective measures or keep their children home from school. School districts are implementing training for staff on how to interact with ICE and outlining procedures for handling any enforcement actions. Legal experts warn that while schools must comply with federal laws, they also have obligations to protect student information privacy and ensure that any ICE access requires a valid legal justification.