Fact check: What are ICE's policies regarding raids at schools and educational events?

1. Summary of the results

ICE's policies regarding raids at schools and educational events have undergone significant changes under different administrations. The Trump administration rescinded the Protected Areas Policy in January, which previously blocked ICE from operating near sensitive locations like schools ^{[1] [2]}. This policy change loosened restrictions on immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, including schools, allowing ICE to conduct operations on school grounds ^[3].

Under current policy, ICE does not typically conduct immigration enforcement activities at schools or school buses, but an immigration action near a school would be determined on a case-by-case basis ^[4]. The Department of Homeland Security has stated that immigration enforcement activity in schools should be 'extremely rare' and would first require 'secondary supervisor approval', but this is a lower bar to clear than the protections provided under previous administrations ^[3].

ICE agents can enter 'public' areas of a school campus without a warrant, but entry into non-public areas without consent or a warrant is generally not permitted ^[5]. Private schools have certain rights to control access to their property, including requesting to see ICE agents' identification and any warrants they may have ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the real-world impact of these policy changes on educational communities. The policy change has led to a climate of fear, resulting in increased student absences ^[1] and a noticeable drop in school attendance ^[3]. The change has led to lawsuits from civil rights organizations and school districts, including Denver Public Schools, which argued that the policy stoked fear in students and families ^[3].

School districts are actively responding to these changes by implementing protective measures. For example, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has added a new section to its law enforcement regulations regarding ICE enforcement, which instructs principals to ask ICE agents to leave campus if they don't have a valid warrant or subpoena ^[6]. The district also requires principals to contact parents if ICE presents a valid warrant or subpoena to question a student, and to document interactions with ICE agents ^[6].

Educational institutions maintain that students' constitutional rights remain protected. The Los Angeles County Office of Education's statement reassures the education community that schools remain committed to ensuring every student, regardless of immigration status, has access to a safe and secure learning environment ^[7], noting that the change in policy does not overrule students' constitutional right to an education or state constitutional protections ^[7].

ICE has targeted people at various locations beyond schools, including workplaces, farms, university campuses, private homes, and during random traffic stops ^[8], indicating that school enforcement is part of a broader immigration strategy.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question is neutrally framed and does not contain apparent misinformation or bias. However, it lacks temporal context about when these policies changed and under which administration, which is crucial for understanding the current enforcement landscape. The question also doesn't acknowledge the significant controversy and legal challenges surrounding these policy changes, or the documented impact on student attendance and educational access that has resulted from the policy shifts.