The Trump administration announced Tuesday it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools.
BRUNSWICK, Maine -- The Trump administration announced Tuesday it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, ending a policy that had been in effect since 2011.Mufalo Chitam, executive director of the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, said, "I don’t feel safe.
My community can’t feel safe." One of the executive actions signed by President Trump allows officers enforcing immigration laws to make arrests at sensitive locations. This includes schools and churches. Now, many parents and students are worried about attending school. "Now the parents feel helpless and hopeless," Chitam said. The order reverses longstanding guidance that restricted ICE and Customs and Border Protection from carrying out immigration enforcement in these sensitive locations. In response to this, multiple superintendents from Maine school districts have sent the following letter out to the community: "The Trump administration has pledged to conduct large-scale immigration enforcement actions targeting undocumented immigrants. Yesterday, the President signed an executive order allowing these actions to take place in schools and places of worship, locations that had been considered “sensitive” and largely off-limits since 2011. "Brunswick School Department remains committed to the academic success of all students regardless of their immigration status or home language. Although we are not aware of impending action by Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement , we know there are questions and concerns about what this means in BSD. The purpose of this guidance is to support students and staff in the event of immigration enforcement or deportation activities. "What should I do if immigration officials come to the school seeking information or individuals? School staff will direct immigration officials to the main office. They may not enter the rest of the school without a valid warrant. School administrators will: Inform the officials that they will cooperate with them within the boundaries of the law. Record the officials’ names, badge numbers, and agency affiliations as well as the date, time, and details of the request. Inform the Superintendent. Determine whether the officials’ warrant is valid. "What information may be provided to immigration officials? BSD cannot provide any non-directory information without parent/guardian consent, without a lawfully issued subpoena, or a valid court order/warrant. "May School Resource Officers provide immigration officials with student information? School Resource Officers are “school officials” and are similarly restricted from providing student information without consent, a lawfully issued subpoena, or a valid court order/warrant. "What is a valid warrant? Warrants are only valid if they are issued by a Federal District Judge or Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court. They permit an immigration officer or member of law enforcement to search or seize property and to enter a non-public place - such as a school - to arrest a person named in an arrest warrant. ICE Administrative Warrants are not valid. They are “warrants” that permit an immigration officer to arrest someone suspected of violating immigration laws and can be issued by any authorized immigration officer. They do not qualify as warrants under the Fourth Amendment and so do not give immigration officers special authority to compel school officials to cooperate. For instance, an ICE administrative warrant does not allow officers to access non-public areas of school grounds or search school records. "What will the school do if immigration officials seek to apprehend someone? School officials will not physically interfere with or obstruct an immigration officer in the performance of their duties. However, a valid warrant is required to permit apprehension of a person in non-public areas of the school. If a student is apprehended, school administrators will immediately notify the student’s parents or guardians unless a valid warrant or subpoena explicitly says that the parent or guardian should not be informed. "What will the school do if a student’s parent or guardian is deported? If a student’s parent or guardian is deported, the school will refer to the student’s emergency contact information to identify alternate individuals who may pick the student up. If no contact is listed or available, the school will contact the Department of Health and Human Services. Again, please be sure to take a moment to update your emergency contact information on file."On a personal note, I want to express how deeply disappointed I am to have to write this. As educators, we are steadfastly committed to nurturing, teaching, and supporting all of our students, regardless of their lived experiences. Schools have long been sanctuaries—protected spaces where students can grow, learn, thrive, and belong. "As a school department, we must adhere to and comply with all applicable state and federal laws and policies; however, please know that we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure our schools remain safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for every child," Phillip J. Potenziano said in a statement. Lewiston Superintendent Jake Langlais said in a statement Thursday that the school will follow protocols, including protecting students' information.In an email sent to us by Lewiston's schools, Assistant Superintendent Karen Paquette shared their districts protocols for working with ICE agents:5. Ask the agent if they have any paperwork Ask to make copies of the paperwork for the Superintendent's office to review. There are different types of paperwork so this will need to be reviewed. 6. Ask the agent to sit in the office until the Principal / Admin arrives. Alternatively, you can ask them to sit in a more private area such as the Principal’s conference room. 7. Keep notes of the date/time, names and titles of the agents, who you contacted at District Office, the name of the student or staff member they are inquiring about , etc."
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