Public Policy Update

Concerns about the potential for ICE raids in Local Schools

By Kathi Harper, Chair, Public Policy School Board Project

Many members have expressed concerns about the potential for ICE raids in local schools. These intrusions are already happening in some places, and are having a significant detrimental impact on families. Some of the ramifications have included:

Parents not showing up at school events
Students don’t want to come to school
Children not learning, consumed by fear of agents coming to take them

Here are some things you should know:

Current law (Plyler v Doe 1982) held that all children, even undocumented, have a constitutional right to free public education
In 2011, DHS issued the “Sensitive Locations” policy, which prohibited raids from certain places including schools
Although the President has attempted to revoke the order, Executive Orders and Actions cannot change statutes or regulations
There are currently 4 lawsuits challenging the attempted revocation; 3 from churches have been successful so far, 1 from a school in Denver has resulted in a denial of a request for a temporary injunction
Current law also prohibits ICE entry on campuses without a warrant
Even with a warrant to enter, that does not entitle them to have access to private/protected student records

Here are two things you can do:

Urge your school boards/districts to issue a “Safe Zone” Resolution – template can be found here: Guidance on Immigration Issues | NEA
Engage your branch members in a postcard-writing campaign to their school boards with following message:

WE STAND WITH