North suburban school districts, as well as Oakton College in the north suburbs, are communicating with students about potential immigration raids after President Donald Trump’s administration cleared the way, in a reversal of previous policy at the federal level, for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to carry out arrests in areas deemed sensitive, such as schools and houses of worship.
Illinois public schools are subject to the Illinois Trust Act, a 2017 law that prevents ICE agents from entering schools unless they have a signed judicial warrant. The law also bars schools from asking about families’ immigration status.
Kalman Resnick, a Chicago-area immigration attorney, told Pioneer Press that it’s unlikely that immigration agents will attempt to detain students in school.
“I don’t think it’s a priority (for the Trump administration) right now. They’re prioritizing people who are already in the process of deportation, either because they either have an outstanding order of deportation, or they have a criminal conviction,” he said.
Resnick said a federal judge would have to sign off on a judicial warrant for immigration agents to enter a school.
Some undocumented immigrants in the Chicago area have reported feeling anxiety at the possibility of immigration raids. Some are consequently staying home from school, work and places of worship.
Resnick said while it is possible for immigration raids to occur while a parent is taking their child to school, anyone can use their right to remain silent.
If a student is detained at school, the student has a right to a deportation hearing before a judge where they could request to be released under the payment of a bond, Resnick said.
Many north suburban school districts have released statements or plans regarding immigration raids, as follows.
Oakton College
According to Oakton College’s Communications Manager Ewa Lyczewska, the community college released a statement to its students after President Donald Trump’s inauguration saying the school is committed to a safe learning environment.
“Oakton has shared information with… students to make them aware of available resources and support for DACA and undocumented students,” the statement said.
The college offered links to resources for undocumented and DACA students on its website.
When asked if federal immigration agents can gain access to the college’s campuses in Skokie and Des Plaines, Lycwzewka said both campuses are open to the public. She added that Oakton’s Police Department will only assist federal agents if they are presented with a valid criminal warrant with probable cause for arrest.
Skokie schools
During Trump’s first term, Skokie’s Village Board approved amendments to its Human Relations code that bear similarities to a Welcoming City ordinance. The village also approved a resolution to deny access to immigration agents seeking to enter public schools, universities and healthcare facilities without a warrant.
In response to a slew of questions regarding Trump’s executive orders, Niles Township High School District 219‘s Director of Communications Takumi Iseda said, “D219 continues to align with the Illinois State Board of Education regarding standards for instruction as well as immigration guidance.”
Skokie School District 73.5 sent two letters to families from Jan. 21 to Jan. 23 saying the district is adhering to the Trust Act and will take steps to validate warrants.
“We have provided guidance to principals and the appropriate school-based staff regarding student rights and protections, how to handle interactions with ICE or CBP, and how to protect students who may have a parent or guardian who has been detained by ICE or CBP during the school day,” one of the letters said.
In addition, the district will use its legal counsel to verify warrants presented to schools in the district. “Without a signed judicial warrant, no official will be allowed into the school building at any time,” the district’s letter said.
The letter also gave instruction on how to update students’ emergency contacts.
Skokie School District 68‘s Superintendent Scott Grens sent a similar letter to families on Jan. 28.
“Children cannot be denied access to free public education based on their or their families’ immigration status. Schools cannot share student information with authorities unless presented with a lawful court order signed by a judge,” it said.
In a January letter from East Prairie School District 73 Superintendent Paul Goldberg to families in the district, Goldberg said the school’s administration, and if necessary legal counsel, will review court orders. The district also offered resources student support, psychological help and guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education.
Evanston schools
Evanston Township High School Superintendent Marcus Campbell wrote two letters to families on Jan. 20 and Jan. 27.
“ETHS will not allow any immigration enforcement activities to disrupt the school’s learning environment,” Campbell said in his Jan. 20 letter.
On Jan. 27, after Trump overturned ICE policy that directed agents to not conduct enforcement operations at schools, houses of worship, hospitals and other placed deemed sensitive, Campbell released another letter to families.
“Federal stances and policies may continue to evolve, but ETHS remains firmly grounded in our core values as both an institution and a community. We are committed to our ongoing work to create safer, more inclusive spaces for all of our students,” it said.
On Jan. 21 Evanston-Skokie District School District 65 Superintendent Angel Turner sent out a letter to district families saying, “All schools are considered safe havens for students and families threatened by immigration enforcement, to the fullest extent permitted by law.”
According to her letter, Turner will review all warrants related to immigration enforcement.
New Trier Township High School
Nicole Dizon, the director of communications and alumni relations for New Trier Township High School District 203, shared a statement.
“The District has not been contacted regarding current ICE enforcement actions.. state and federal law and School Board policy prohibit the district from disclosing identifying student information, such as a student’s or family’s immigration status,” the statement said.
“New Trier is committed to providing quality education to students regardless of their immigration status or that of a family member.”
Glenview
Glenbrook High School District 225‘s Executive Director of Communications Carol Smith said the district is in the process of reviewing the president’s executive orders while also following state laws. Glenview Community Consolidated School District 34′s Executive Director of Communications & Strategic Planning Rebecca Latham echoed Smith’s remarks.
“District 34 is reviewing the Executive Order while also continuing to follow the state law currently in place,” Latham said.
