Denver Public Schools Sues to Stop ICE Raids on Campus Under Trump Policy

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Key Takeaways

• Denver Public Schools filed a federal lawsuit on February 13, 2025, against DHS to reinstate the sensitive-locations policy.
• DPS argues the policy’s removal disrupts education, with attendance dropping among 90,000 students, including 4,000 immigrants, during 2023-2024.
• The lawsuit seeks to protect schools from ICE, potentially setting a precedent for other districts opposing intensified immigration enforcement.

Denver Public Schools (DPS), Colorado’s 🇺🇸 largest public school district, is taking a landmark stand against federal immigration policy under the Trump administration. On February 13, 2025, DPS became the first school district in the United States to file a federal lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. At the heart of the lawsuit is the administration’s decision to rescind a 2011 policy that previously designated schools as “sensitive locations,” effectively safeguarding them from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions.

The 2011 policy, established as a measure to limit fear among students and families, had restricted immigration enforcement at sensitive locations. These included schools, places of worship, and hospitals. However, shortly after taking office in January 2025, President Donald Trump removed these protections, fulfilling a key campaign promise to intensify immigration enforcement. While the administration has justified this change as necessary for law enforcement flexibility, this policy shift has sparked significant controversy.

Denver Public Schools Sues to Stop ICE Raids on Campus Under Trump Policy

Impact on Schools and Students

DPS argues that rescinding the sensitive-locations policy has heavily disrupted the education system. The lawsuit asserts that fears of immigration raids within school grounds have forced the district to divert critical resources toward mitigating these fears rather than focusing on education. According to the district, these challenges impair its ability to provide essential life services and academic support, especially as attendance drops due to widespread apprehension among immigrant families. In the court filings, DPS stated, “Students are now refraining from attending DPS schools for fear of immigration enforcement actions occurring on DPS school grounds.”

The consequences have been stark. DPS, which serves more than 90,000 students, including approximately 4,000 immigrants during the 2023-2024 school year, reports a significant decline in attendance. This decline affects both the students’ education and the funding that schools receive from the state, as funding is tied to enrollment numbers. Equally concerning are the psychological impacts on students, many of whom have expressed fear anytime an unfamiliar individual enters their classrooms. Scott Pribble, a DPS spokesperson, remarked, “In many classrooms, students have become fearful if someone they don’t know enters the classroom.”

The need for immediate action became clear after recent immigration raids in the Denver metro area led to the detainment of four students from Place Bridge Academy. On the same day, immigration enforcement at Cedar Run Apartments disrupted bus schedules, leaving children stranded and leading to strikingly low classroom attendance in one school, where fewer than 20% of students showed up.

Legal Basis and Goals

DPS’s lawsuit aims to reinstate the sensitive-locations policy to ensure that schools remain safe spaces for education. According to the district, dropping the policy has created “hunting grounds for suspected undocumented immigrants” and caused immense turmoil within school communities. To address this, DPS is also seeking a temporary restraining order to reinstate the protections immediately. The district contends that DHS did not provide an adequate explanation for rescinding the policy, nor did it thoughtfully address the adverse consequences for schools, families, and children.

Additionally, DPS has urged DHS to publicly release any directive tied to the policy reversal. Superintendent Alex Marrero expressed frustration at not being able to review a clear policy document, which he says has hindered the district’s ability to respond. In an op-ed for the Denver Post, Marrero summarized the broader concern by stating, “No child should have to weigh the risk of enforcement over the right to an education. No family should have to question whether school remains a place of refuge.”

Protective Measures in Schools

In response to this policy shift, DPS has enacted several measures to safeguard students and staff. Teachers and other school employees have been trained on how to deal with ICE officers should they appear at a school. Staff are instructed to deny ICE officers entry unless the officers present a warrant signed by a judge. While these precautions are essential, DPS argues that they come at the expense of resources that should be focused on educating students.

Despite the immediate steps DPS has taken, the challenges remain formidable. With approximately 43,000 people arriving in Denver 🇺🇸 from the U.S. southern border since 2023, immigration issues have taken on heightened urgency for the community. At DPS, the interplay between these broader immigration challenges and day-to-day educational needs has led to one of the most visible conflicts in the country over federal immigration policy.

National Implications

This lawsuit is not only significant for Denver but could also set a legal precedent across the country. If successful, it may encourage other districts to follow suit in challenging the Trump administration’s immigration policies. According to DPS officials, “several” large urban school districts have already expressed interest in joining this lawsuit or advancing similar legal actions. While the names of these districts have not been disclosed, their collective action could amplify the fight to safeguard schools from immigration raids.

The broader pushback against these policies reflects a growing debate nationwide about the role of schools in immigration enforcement. Critics of ending the sensitive-locations protections argue that schools should remain a haven for all students, regardless of their or their family’s legal status. Superintendent Marrero stressed this by mentioning that public schools provide essential services that extend beyond academics, such as meals and emotional support, which can dissolve under the threat of enforcement.

Justifications from the Trump Administration

The Trump administration has remained steadfast in its defense of the policy change. Officials have stated that law enforcement should not be restricted by policies that, in their words, “tie the hands” of officers. They further argued that ICE agents are capable of using “common sense” to decide when and where to make arrests. As of now, neither DHS nor ICE has publicly commented on DPS’s lawsuit.

Educational and Immigration Policy Crossroads

This legal case underscores a critical intersection between federal immigration policy and the ability of schools to function as educational institutions. It raises fundamental questions about whether federal policies should take into account the missions of institutions like schools and the rights of children to access education without fear. Furthermore, it highlights the balance that must be struck between enforcing immigration laws and maintaining social services that serve vulnerable populations.

From a broader perspective, this litigation reflects growing resistance to some Trump-era immigration policies. As reported by VisaVerge.com, disputes over sensitive-locations policies are not just legal battles but also fights over the identity and role of schools in society. Should schools act solely as places of learning, or are they also social spaces where marginalized groups are shielded from enforcement actions? These are core questions that the DPS lawsuit could answer.

The Road Ahead

The outcome of DPS’s lawsuit has the potential to reshape how federal immigration policies are implemented in schools. If the court rules in favor of the school district, it could provide momentum for similar litigation across the country. Alternatively, a decision in favor of DHS may embolden the federal government to expand enforcement activities in other traditionally protected spaces, such as hospitals and churches.

While the lawsuit progresses, it is essential to monitor developments closely, including responses from the Trump administration, statements from other interested school districts, and any noticeable changes in ICE operations near schools. Regardless of the outcome, this case is poised to have long-term implications for school districts navigating the intersection of education and immigration issues.

For further details on immigration enforcement policies, you can visit the official U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement page on sensitive locations here. Additionally, families concerned about how immigration policies might affect them should consider consulting with a licensed immigration attorney to understand their rights and options.

This dispute will undoubtedly weigh heavily on DPS as well as immigration policy nationwide. Both educators and policymakers will be scrutinizing this case closely, given its potential to set a precedent for the rights of immigrant families within the U.S. educational system. As Superintendent Marrero poignantly stated, “Education should not come with the cost of fear.”

Learn Today

Sensitive Locations → Designated areas like schools, churches, or hospitals where immigration enforcement actions are limited to protect vulnerable populations.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → A U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and managing border security and removal operations.
Restraining Order → A legal order issued by a court to temporarily prevent an action, such as immigration enforcement, from taking place.
Undocumented Immigrants → Individuals residing in a country without legal authorization or valid immigration documents required by that country.
Litigation → The process of taking legal action or resolving disputes through the court system, often involving lawsuits.

This Article in a Nutshell

Denver Public Schools has made history by suing the federal government over rescinded protections from immigration raids. The sensitive-locations policy safeguarded schools as fear-free zones. Now, DPS argues its removal disrupts education, lowers attendance, and traumatizes students. This landmark case could redefine the intersection of immigration policy and children’s right to learn.
— By VisaVerge.com