2025-01-08 13:17:00
Schools in the US are worried about what to do if immigration agents come to inspect them as President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office on January 20 and his pledge to deport millions of illegal immigrants. Several schools have spoken up for the rights of immigrant students who fear deportation under the Trump administration. The schools have discussed the right of these students to attend school irrespective of whether they entered the country legally or not, reported the Associated Press.
This fear of potential deportation is not just limited to schools; several universities across the US have asked students to return before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Around 7.3 lakh children of school-going age are living in the US without legal documentation, according to data by the Migration Policy Institute.
The schools have also stated that they will not cooperate with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents when they come in for raids. Several officials in California even guided school administrations on state laws limiting locals from participating in immigration enforcement.
“I know there is a lot of fear and anxiety around the incoming administration’s anticipated changes to immigration policy,” California Attorney General Bonta told the Associated Press. “I want to make sure students, their parents, and their teachers and school administrators are prepared”.
The 54-page California guide outlines state and federal protections for students and how to respond to law enforcement requests from documentation stage to interviewing students.
While US immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agents have steered clear of arresting such students so far, now many fear what would happen under Trump 2.0.
“Although the protected area policy remains in effect… it may be modified, superseded, or withdrawn at any time with little notice,” the California guide said. “Because of this, and because exceptions to the policy exist, local educational agencies should have plans in place in the event that a law-enforcement officer requests information or access to a school site or a student for immigration-enforcement purposes.”
Educators are also concerned about immigrant families and their children.
“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,” said Des Moines of the Iowa Public Schools, where only one of four students are English language learners.
A resolution was passed by the Chicago Public Schools’ Board of Education in November 2024 stating that schools will not assist the immigration department in enforcing immigration laws.
The agents would not be able to enter without a criminal warrant, the resolution added.
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