How many children have been detained by ICE in schools?

Checked on September 20, 2025
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1. Summary of the results

The original statement inquires about the number of children detained by ICE in schools. However, upon reviewing the analyses provided, it becomes clear that none of the sources provide a specific number of children detained by ICE in schools [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]. The analyses do mention instances where ICE agents attempted to enter schools or apprehended parents during school hours, leading to fear and anxiety among students and families [1] [5]. Additionally, some sources report on cases of children being deported with their parents, but these do not provide a comprehensive number of children detained by ICE in schools [6]. ICE's policy is to not detain unaccompanied children, except in rare instances, and the care and custody of unaccompanied undocumented children is the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) [3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key piece of missing context is the lack of transparency from ICE regarding the number of children detained in schools, which makes it difficult to provide an accurate answer to the original statement [2] [4]. Alternative viewpoints include the impact of immigration raids on student attendance, with some studies finding a 22% increase in absences and a two-percentage-point drop in overall attendance in certain districts [8]. The fear and anxiety caused by immigration raids and enforcement actions are also highlighted as significant concerns for students and families [5]. Furthermore, the distinction between ICE's policies and actions in schools versus other locations is an important context that is often missing from discussions on this topic [1] [7].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading due to its implication that ICE regularly detains children in schools, which is not supported by the analyses provided [1] [4] [7]. ICE and Homeland Security officials claim that ICE agents do not enter schools to make arrests, which could be seen as an attempt to downplay the impact of immigration enforcement on schools [4] [7]. On the other hand, advocacy groups and educators may emphasize the fear and anxiety caused by immigration raids to highlight the need for support and protection for immigrant students and families [5]. Ultimately, the lack of clear information from ICE and the varying perspectives on this issue contribute to potential misinformation and bias in the original statement [2] [6].

Want to dive deeper?
What are the laws protecting undocumented children in US schools?
How many ICE raids have occurred in schools since 2020?
What rights do undocumented students have in US educational institutions?
Can ICE agents enter schools without warrants or parental consent?
Which schools have implemented sanctuary policies to protect undocumented students?