A mix-up at a Chicago elementary school saw U.S. Secret Service agents mistaken for ICE agents, leading to initial confusion and claims of ICE presence. The incident unfolded when Secret Service agents, investigating a threat against a government official, visited the school. While the agents identified themselves and presented identification, the school staff, fearing an ICE operation, denied them entry, adhering to their established protocol. Both the Secret Service and CPS later clarified the situation, attributing the misunderstanding to heightened anxieties surrounding immigration enforcement under the new administration. The incident highlights the significant anxieties surrounding immigration enforcement within communities, particularly in 'sensitive areas' like schools.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed Friday that their agents attempted to enter a Chicago elementary school earlier in the day, contradicting claims by the school district that the agents were from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A spokesperson for the school district, CPS, told Crisis in the Classroom (CITC) that ICE agents showed up at Hamline Elementary School . She claimed that staff members followed district policy by denying the individuals entry to the building.
'The ICE agents were not allowed into the school and were not permitted to speak to any students or staff members,' Chkoumbova said. 'Here is the bottom line: Our students and staff are safe.' However, a spokesperson for the Secret Service told CITC that the individuals were actually members of their agency investigating a threat against a government official. The Secret Service agents visited a local home before coming to Hamline Elementary School, according to the spokesperson. Agents identified themselves to the school principal and provided business cards with their contact information,' the spokesperson said. 'The agents left without incident.' 'The Secret Service investigates all threats made against those we protect, we do not investigate nor enforce immigration laws,' they continued. When reached for comment, a spokesperson for CPS told CITC that the district's original claims were 'a result of a misunderstanding, reflective of the fear and concerns in the community amid the new administration’s focus on undocumented immigrants.' The CPS spokesperson said the agents at Hamline Elementary School presented identification referencing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE. 'Regardless of which branch of Homeland Security visited this school, officials followed the established protocols to ensure student safety. The agents were not allowed into the school or permitted to speak with staff or students,' the spokesperson said. While this was a misunderstanding in terms of the specific branch of DHS, the school’s response demonstrates that our system, in partnership with community organizations, is prepared and ready to keep our students and staff safe,' they added
Secret Service ICE Chicago Elementary School Immigration Threat Misunderstanding
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