{"id":5061886,"date":"2025-02-12T09:04:51","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T14:04:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rilatinonews.com\/?p=5061886"},"modified":"2025-02-12T09:04:51","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T14:04:51","slug":"ri-schools-prepare-for-immigration-investigations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/riln\/2025\/02\/12\/ri-schools-prepare-for-immigration-investigations\/","title":{"rendered":"RI Schools Prepare for Immigration Investigations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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are developing plans to protect students and their families from immigration enforcement since President Trump rescinded guidelines that prevented immigration arrests in and around \u201csensitive\u201d locations, including schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the recent policy change, there have been no reports of ICE raids at schools in Rhode Island or across the country. However, in preparation, the state\u2019s attorney general and education commissioner have released guidance for schools, including what documentation agencies need to be allowed inside a school and how much information schools are required to provide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile we do not yet know if federal authorities will conduct operations targeting Rhode Island schools, this guidance is intended to assist schools, teachers, and administrators in protecting the rights of every student,\u201d Attorney General Peter F. Neronha said in a shared statement with Education Commissioner Ang\u00e9lica Infante-Green. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The director of a Providence charter school told WUN<\/a>, \u201cThe commissioner has provided resources to schools\u201d and has \u201cadvised to be prepared, but keep a low profile. We will follow the law. However, the safety and security of our students is critical. We need to seek legal advice and stay secure in the event of a visit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On January 20, the Department of Homeland Security issued a directive<\/a> that ended a decades-old policy\u2014introduced by the Biden Administration<\/a>\u2014that prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations in areas where \u201cchildren 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas DiPaola, executive director of the RI Schools Superintendents Association, emphasized that immigration enforcement must still comply with federal and state privacy protections. For example, districts have a minimal list of people to share a child’s personal information with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you were to ask me about a child attending a particular school, I really wouldn\u2019t even be able to confirm or deny that that child was enrolled in our school,\u201d DiPaola told WPRI News 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State law also requires districts to have safety protocols that include allowing only authorized individuals to access non-public areas of a school. According to Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, schools can prohibit federal law enforcement officers without an official judicial warrant or court order from entering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, the Trump administration has sent unclear and mixed messages<\/a> about how federal agencies enforce immigration laws across the country. As a result, the ongoing immigration raids\u2014along with misinformation and rumors of such raids\u2014are spreading fear and panic in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past two weeks, there have been numerous reports that ICE agents have conducted raids, arresting undocumented immigrants and citizens without a warrant<\/a>. The current administration also faces issues such as data collection without consent and detaining people without probable cause, which could prompt legal battles, according to Newsweek<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerned parents and students should contact local school officials, community resources\u2014like Progresso Latino<\/a>, Dorcas International<\/a>, and The Immigrant Coalition of RI<\/a>\u2014or the Office of the Attorney General at 401-274-4400 with any questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional information and related resources include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n