The Trump administration has reversed a long-standing policy prohibiting immigration arrests in schools, churches, and hospitals, igniting widespread concern among immigrant families about their children’s safety and access to education.
End of “Sensitive Locations” Protections
On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that federal immigration agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will no longer be restricted from conducting enforcement actions in previously protected “sensitive locations.” DHS justified the decision by stating that “criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”
The policy change has created an atmosphere of fear for immigrant families, many of whom are unsure whether it is safe to send their children to school.
Widespread Concern Among Families and Educators
Carmen, an immigrant grandmother living in the San Francisco Bay Area, expressed deep anxiety about the safety of her two grandchildren, aged 6 and 4. “What has helped calm my nerves is knowing that the school stands with us and promised to inform us if it’s not safe at school,” she said.
Educators and community leaders have criticized the move as unnecessary and harmful. Daniela Anello, head of D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School, called the decision “horrific” and described it as a needless provocation. “There’s no such thing as hiding anyone. It doesn’t happen, hasn’t happened. … It’s ridiculous,” she said.
Impact on Schools and Attendance
The announcement has led to fears of reduced attendance, particularly in schools serving immigrant and refugee communities. Schools provide essential services beyond education, including meals, mental health support, and a sense of stability.
Michael Lukens, executive director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, warned that the policy could deter parents from sending their children to school, even if they are not at immediate risk of deportation. “It’s part of the administration’s goal to make life so untenable that immigrants eventually leave the United States on their own,” Lukens said.
Educational Leaders Stand in Support of Immigrant Families
In response to the new policy, some school districts have reiterated their commitment to protecting students’ right to education. Chicago Public Schools, for instance, passed a resolution barring ICE from entering schools without a criminal warrant. New York City principals have also been reminded of policies preventing the collection of immigration status information.
However, such reassurances are not universal. In states and districts lacking similar protections, immigrant families face heightened uncertainty.
A Broader Climate of Fear
The policy change comes amid the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on immigration, including pledges to deport millions of undocumented individuals and roll back asylum programs. These measures have left many immigrant families feeling targeted and vulnerable.
For Carmen and her family, returning to their home country of Mexico is not an option due to threats from drug trafficking gangs. “My biggest fear is that we don’t have anywhere to go back to,” she said. “It’s about saving our lives. And protecting our children.”
As immigrant communities navigate these challenges, schools remain one of the few spaces where many families hope to find support and security for their children. However, the Trump administration’s latest move threatens to erode that sense of safety, leaving families and educators grappling with the uncertain future.
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