Homeland Security pushes back on reports of immigration raids targeting schools and children

The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that immigration agents will enter schools to make arrests in only “extremely rare” circumstances and not to target children, as the department sought to push back on a rash of news reports suggesting some kids are avoiding their classrooms. Here’s what you need to know about ICE enforcement in schools:

The Homeland Security clarification

Agency pushes back on media reports about school raids:

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the deportation agency, earlier this year loosened rules on where officers can make arrests, giving them more freedom to be near — or in some cases at — courthouses, clinics, churches and schools
• With children returning for new academic year, news coverage has been awash in stories of school systems saying they have seen drop in attendance or detailing steps they’re taking to confront ICE officers
• But Homeland Security said there’s no cause for the outrage
• “ICE does not raid schools,” the department said

The enforcement protocol

Department outlines strict approval process for school arrests:

• “The facts are DHS’s directive allowing ICE to go into schools gives our law enforcement the ability to do their jobs. Our agents use discretion”
• “Officers would need secondary supervisor approval before any action can be taken in locations such as a school. We expect these to be extremely rare”
• Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin gave examples of cases where arrests might occur
• “If a dangerous illegal alien felon were to flee into a school, or a child sex offender is working as an employee, there may be a situation where an arrest is made to protect public safety”

The media criticism

Official blames press for creating fear and resistance:

• McLaughlin said “But this has not happened” regarding actual school arrests
• She blamed media for “attempting to create a climate of fear” and called news coverage a “smear” against law enforcement
• Said it’s helping fuel growing resistance to ICE that’s led to surge in reported assaults on officers
• “ICE is not going to schools to make arrests of children,” McLaughlin said

The enrollment data

Early reports show no attendance drop in key enforcement areas:

• News reports have speculated about drop in enrollment, expecting children in families with illegal immigrants to avoid class
• Early reports have not borne that out, even in Los Angeles, which was epicenter of “mass deportation” immigration enforcement over last three months
• Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho told KABC-TV that enrollment numbers are still coming
• So far average daily attendance “is actually higher than what it was last year, prior to these immigration enforcement actions”

The anticipated changes

LA superintendent expects future impact despite current data:

• Still, Carvalho said he thinks that will change
• “I do believe that we will see that a numbers of families, for a whole host of reasons, have left our community,” he told station
• Where and how ICE can carry out its duties has been subject of heated debate
• Agency has long had policy attempting to limit enforcement in “sensitive” locations

The Biden-era restrictions

Previous administration expanded protected locations significantly:

• Under Biden administration, then-Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas expanded policy, virtually banning arrests at medical facilities, schools and day care centers
• Also included buildings associated with religion, government buildings where services are provided to public, and parks and school bus stops where children might be found
• Mayorkas also restricted arrests near those locations
• Washington Times plotted locations on map of District of Columbia and found most of national capital fell under new restrictions

The Trump policy reversal

Current administration lifts previous enforcement limitations:

• Map analysis showed severe limits on ICE’s ability to make at-large arrests under Biden rules
• Upon taking office, Trump administration lifted Mayorkas rules, saying it would leave enforcement to officers’ discretion
• Agency regularly suspends enforcement in areas facing natural disasters to allow locals to get life-saving assistance without fear of repercussions
• New approach gives agents more operational flexibility while maintaining supervisor approval requirements

Read more:

• Department of Homeland Security: Immigration arrests in schools ’extremely rare’