Across the country, education officials are developing plans to protect students and their families from immigration enforcement since President Trump rescinded guidelines that prevented immigration arrests in and around “sensitive” locations, including schools.
Since the recent policy change, there have been no reports of ICE operations at schools in New Hampshire. However, in preparation, education officials across the state are collaborating with legal organizations and others for support.
On January 20, the Department of Homeland Security issued a directive that ended a decades-old policy—introduced by the Biden Administration—that prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations in areas where “children gather, disaster or emergency relief sites, and social services establishments.” As a result, immigration authorities can now legally enter healthcare facilities and places of worship.
“It’s unclear to education leaders what impacts this will have on schools,” Executive Director Mark MacLean of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association told NHPR.
Although a 1982 court decision, Plyler v. Doe, requires schools to enroll students regardless of immigration status, MacLean stated, “We need informed guidance on how to correctly respond to questions and how variances in state and federal law impact education decisions.”
School districts across the Granite State are taking individual approaches to provide their communities with guidance and adequately address their concerns.
The Manchester School District reassured families in late January that it does not collect information on students’ immigration or citizenship status, and does not share students’ personal information—whether it’s law enforcement or federal immigration officials—without a court order. The district did not clarify if it would cooperate with ICE officials but, when asked how the district would handle judicial warrants or immigration detention orders, Manchester School District spokesperson Andrew Toland said, “We will comply with lawful orders.”
Nashua’s and Concord’s school districts have informed their staff to contact the superintendent if ICE or other law enforcement shows up with a judicial warrant to enter a school building, according to NHPR. Nashua Superintendent Mario Andrade also reminded staff of the importance of protecting students’ personal information, as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
“We have directed our staff to continue to follow our policy, which is not to release students to anyone other than a legal guardian or to someone who has been approved by the parent outside of a warrant signed by a judge,” said President Pamela Walsh of the Concord School Board.
In general, the Trump administration has sent unclear and mixed messages about how federal agencies enforce immigration laws across the country. As a result, the ongoing immigration raids—along with misinformation and rumors of such raids—are spreading fear and panic in vulnerable communities.
Concerned families and students should contact local school officials and community resources—like the Centro Latino de Hospitalidad at the Granite State Organizing Project and Welcoming New Hampshire—with any questions.
Additional information and related resources include:
- Frequently asked questions for school officials: what to do if ICE shows up at your school, Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM)
- Guidance on Immigration Issues, National Education Association
- How New Hampshire schools are preparing to respond if ICE shows up at their door, New Hampshire Public Radio
This story is an aggregate of How New Hampshire schools are preparing to respond if ICE shows up at their door by New Hampshire Public Radio.