Local school districts respond to possible ICE raids at schools
A new directive by President Donald J. Trump allows immigration enforcement in previously protected places, such as schools and places of worship.
Under the new policy, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents can now make arrests in locations once deemed “sensitive” and largely off-limits.
Local school districts say they are educating teachers, students and parents on how the policy may impact their schools, and addressing the concerns of immigrant families who are worried about sending their children to school fearing potential encounters with immigration authorities.
“I want to reassure our community that we are always here to support our students and staff,” said Bentworth School District Superintendent Scott Martin, who issued a memo to school district staff members outlining a procedure to follow if ICE agents visit Bentworth.
“Our goal is to provide our teachers with the confidence and peace of mind they need to continue doing what they do best – caring for their children. The added stress of these situations only compounds the challenges already facing our education system.”
Superintendents noted federal law guarantees every child’s right to a public education in the U.S., regardless of immigration status, and that the U.S. Department of Education prohibits schools from asking about citizenship or immigration status during the registration process.
An estimated 733,000 school-age children live in the United States without legal status, including about 12,000 in Pennsylvania, according to the Migration Policy Institute.
Belle Vernon Area School District Superintendent Dr. Timothy Glasspool prepared his schools for the possibility of ICE agents arriving on campus. On Tuesday, he issued a letter to staff members providing guidance “to ensure we prioritize the safety, privacy, and well-being of all students and staff while adhering to legal requirements.”
Glasspool advised staff members to contact their building administrator immediately if approached by an ICE officer, and instructed principals to direct the officer to the central office to meet with him. With legal counsel and/or local police, the district will “determine the appropriate response to any visit or inquiry from ICE.”
“I know every staff member here at Belle Vernon Area School District is committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all students,” Glasspool said.
Dr. Jesse T. Wallace III, Superintendent of Laurel Highland School District, said administrators are scheduled to meet Thursday to draft an action plan.
“It’s a shifting landscape of how the law is changing,” said Wallace. “It’s such a hot issue. You have people who feel one way and people who feel 180 degrees another way, and at the end of the day you have kids on the sidelines not understanding what’s going on and they’re in the middle of it.”
As of Wednesday, there had been no reports of ICE agents entering area schools.
Martin expressed concerns over the impact on immigrant communities and their sense of safety in school. He said the school district works every day to make the district’s schools safe for children.
“Hardened exteriors, locked doors, safety windows, metal detectors, police officers, are all measures designed to protect our children. But this is different,” Martin said. “Teachers form deep bonds with their students, and removing a child from the safety of their school environment risks emotional harm not only to the child being removed but to all children and staff in the building. How do we expect our teachers to teach and our students to learn?
“I truly hope and pray that rational hearts and minds prevail in any educational setting.”