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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis Public Schools wrote in an email to families Wednesday night that the district will not allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers into schools without a judicial warrant.
The message came after the Trump administration issued a new directive that allows ICE officers to arrest people in sensitive areas, including schools, churches, hospitals and childcare centers.
Sensitive locations have been shielded from immigration enforcement under both Democratic and Republican administrations. In 2021, the Biden administration expanded the list of protected areas, including new locations where children gather, and where social services and emergency or disaster relief is provided. The Trump administration directive rolls back that policy.
In the email to families, IPS included a link to a new webpage with information and resources for undocumented students and families. The page states that IPS staff have been trained to respond to situations involving undocumented families and that the district is collaborating with legal advisors.
Additionally, the district said it will not ask students and families about their immigration status, and that student information is protected by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
The webpage also urges families to learn their rights and provides guidance on what to do if they or their child are approached or arrested by ICE.
What other Marion County schools districts are saying
“The district has existing policies and safety protocols in place for any request to access students,” Altameyer wrote in an email.
A Perry Township Schools spokesperson said the district is waiting on guidance from state and federal officials. And a spokesperson for Beech Grove City Schools said their district is monitoring the situation and considering how to support families.
Jeannine Templeman, chief communications officer for the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, wrote in an email that the district is “actively working with legal counsel to evaluate necessary adjustments.”
Templeman added that the district complies with state and federal laws and that students have a right to a public education regardless of their immigration status.
Speedway Schools, Franklin Township Schools and the Metropolitan School Districts of Pike, Washington, Warren and Decatur Townships did not immediately respond to WFYI’s requests for comment on the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement directive.
Rachel Fradette contributed reporting.
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Im like totally confused at all this. So does Federal law trump State law and if so, how can a school district break a federal law by not assisting in someone here illegally? None of this makes sense to me. Im sure everybody around the world knows if they can just make it here and have a child that some advocate group will protect your right to be here illegally.
Kevin, if you will note, IPS will not allow ICE in without a warrant. The warrant is that legal piece of paper that says the have the right to be there. IPS isn’t saying they will ignore a warrant. They aren’t saying that they will break the law.
It is a sad state of affairs if ICE has to go after children. Life has been hard enough for these youngsters. Surely there is a better way to handle this program. All immigrants are NOT criminals and many are hard working people. Yes, get the criminals of all persuasions but going after children????
Well, that’s what Hitler did with the Jews. He started with the children. They were the first made to wear the “patch”. That’s how this works, go after the most vulnerable first.