NYC Schools Stick to ICE Policies, Promise Support for Immigrant Families

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Key Takeaways

• NYC schools reaffirm they will not allow ICE agents on school premises without a valid judicial warrant, ensuring student safety.
• January 2025 PEP resolution ensures immigrant families feel safe, addressing federal policy allowing ICE at sensitive locations like schools.
• DOE guidelines require strict legal compliance before ICE access, including SFC consultation, safeguarding student privacy and data security.

New York City (NYC 🗽) public schools have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting immigrant students and their families. Despite a recent directive for city workers, the school system emphasized that its policies regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigations remain unchanged. This announcement comes amid growing concerns about increased immigration enforcement and the potential for mass deportations.

On February 10, 2025, ABC7NY reported that NYC schools continue to uphold their policy of not permitting ICE agents onto school property unless they present a valid judicial warrant. This reaffirmation follows an internal directive instructing city employees to “block non-local law enforcement from city facilities,” as revealed through an internal memo. For families with children in NYC schools, this policy means consistent protection of student safety and privacy, even as broader immigration policies change.

NYC Schools Stick to ICE Policies, Promise Support for Immigrant Families

Strengthened Support for Immigrant Families

The Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), which oversees NYC’s Department of Education, recently doubled down on its efforts to support immigrant children. In January 2025, the PEP passed a resolution specifically aimed at ensuring that immigrant families feel safe when sending their children to school. The resolution was crafted in response to former President Donald Trump’s recent reversal of earlier policies, now allowing ICE agents to patrol “sensitive locations” like schools. The U.S. Department of Justice had also warned state and local officials that failure to cooperate with ICE could result in criminal charges, which has led to unease among many communities.

Naveed Hasan, a member of the PEP and an immigrant himself, played a key role in drafting the resolution. Speaking about the importance of these measures, Hasan said, “We need to make sure that as a panel, we strongly put forth our support for them.” The resolution is being shared broadly with schools across NYC to reassure parents that they can send their children to class without fear of being targeted by immigration authorities.

Gregory Faulkner, the chairperson of the PEP, noted the significance of this step. He highlighted that NYC’s public school system, the largest in the United States, is setting an example for other school systems nationwide. The resolution underscores New York City’s status as a sanctuary city, a designation that ensures the protection of its immigrant residents. Even Camille Casaretti, another PEP member, emphasized this point during a January 2025 legislative breakfast, underscoring the moral duty of NYC schools to protect all students.

Advocacy Groups Call for Stronger Measures

Several advocacy organizations, including the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and Make the Road New York (MRNY), have intensified their calls for stronger protections for immigrant students. These groups sent a joint letter to NYC Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, urging additional steps to bolster safeguards for students and their families against future ICE actions. The letter outlined a series of recommendations aimed at ensuring schools remain safe spaces, even in the face of changing immigration policies.

Some of the measures suggested include:

Refusing ICE access to school facilities unless they present a court-issued judicial warrant.
Informing parents promptly if a warrant or subpoena is issued, unless prohibited by law.
Using encryption to protect sensitive student data from being unlawfully accessed or leaked.
Providing training to all school staff, including bus drivers and contractors, on procedures to handle encounters with ICE officers.
Organizing workshops for students and families to educate them about their rights.

Johanna Miller, director of the Education Policy Center at the NYCLU, emphasized the need to safeguard the right of every child to attend public school, no matter their immigration status. Dali Alban, a student and activist from Make the Road New York, also called on Chancellor Aviles-Ramos to actively defend NYC’s immigrant students, given the federal government’s recent anti-immigrant stance. These advocacy groups aim to remind all stakeholders within the city’s education system of their legal responsibilities to protect children.

NYC Schools: Guidance on ICE Actions

To provide clear instruction on handling ICE visits, the Department of Education (DOE) has issued guidance for principals and school officials. These guidelines focus on ensuring the safety of students against non-local law enforcement interactions. ICE, as a non-local agency, must meet strict legal requirements before gaining access to schools in NYC.

Outlined steps for principals include:

Verifying the identity of the officer and obtaining their badge number, paperwork, and purpose for visiting.
Consulting with the Senior Field Counsel (SFC), who provides legal guidance on how to respond.
Ensuring that staff do not grant immediate access to ICE officers without explicit legal instruction.
Refusing access to schools unless required by law and following all legal steps outlined by the SFC.

ICE officers are not allowed entry onto school property or access to student records under any circumstances unless legally mandated. In rare emergencies, such as situations involving physical harm or imminent death, principals are instructed to call both the SFC and local police departments for guidance.

The DOE guidance also supplements existing policies, such as those written in Chancellor’s Regulation A-412, which cover non-local law enforcement arrests. Similarly, Regulation A-820 ensures specific protections for student privacy and the handling of confidential information. These layers of protection reiterate NYC schools’ unwavering stance on preventing unauthorized interference from immigration enforcement.

Balancing Concerns and Supporting Communities

The continued debate around NYC schools’ policies comes amid broader uncertainty for many immigrant families. Mayor Eric Adams has tried to reassure residents during recent public meetings, stating that ICE mainly targets individuals with violent criminal records. Still, some critics remain skeptical of his position. Brooklyn City Council Member Shahana Hanif, for example, has expressed doubt about whether the mayor fully backs undocumented New Yorkers. This skepticism stems from comments in 2023 when the mayor warned that the ongoing migrant crisis could overwhelm NYC.

Despite the political challenges, NYC schools’ policies reflect a long-standing commitment to standing by immigrant families. Their approach aligns with federal legal precedents, such as the 1982 Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe. That ruling established an essential right: all children, including those without legal status, have the guaranteed right to attend public schools in the districts where they reside. By holding firmly to this position, NYC schools affirm their role as not just centers of learning but also as safe havens for vulnerable populations.

A Coordinated Community Effort

As discussions about immigration enforcement evolve, NYC public schools remain at the forefront of protecting immigrant students. Advocacy from groups like NYCLU, combined with internal policies and resolutions from the PEP, serves as a united front against anti-immigrant pressures from federal agencies. The collective goal is clear—safe, uninterrupted education for every child, regardless of their background.

As noted by VisaVerge.com’s analysis, these policies have implications far beyond NYC, influencing how school systems nationwide might handle similar situations. The reaffirmation of NYC schools’ ICE policies sends a powerful message about the importance of safeguarding immigrant children in uncertain times. For families with children in NYC schools, this commitment offers some peace of mind, highlighting the city’s broader dedication to its diverse community.

In conclusion, NYC public schools have been clear in their message: their doors remain open to all students. By maintaining robust protocols and fostering collaboration with community stakeholders, they ensure that every student, regardless of their immigration status, feels secure on school grounds.

To learn more about the legal principles guiding immigrant students’ right to education, you can visit the U.S. Department of Education’s official site. This resource outlines federal protections ensuring access to public education for all children.

Learn Today

Judicial Warrant → A court-issued document authorizing law enforcement to perform a specific act, such as entering a property, legally.
Sanctuary City → A city that limits its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented individuals residing there.
Sensitive Locations → Locations (e.g., schools, hospitals) where immigration enforcement activities are generally discouraged to ensure public access and safety.
Chancellor’s Regulation A-412 → A policy outlining procedures on non-local law enforcement arrests in NYC schools to safeguard students and their privacy.
Plyler v. Doe → A landmark 1982 Supreme Court decision guaranteeing all children, regardless of immigration status, access to public education.

This Article in a Nutshell

NYC public schools reaffirm their stance as safe havens for immigrant families, barring ICE access without judicial warrants. Amid rising immigration fears, policies protect student privacy and safety. Advocacy groups push for stronger safeguards, ensuring education remains uninterrupted. NYC’s commitment exemplifies sanctuary values, offering reassurance and hope to vulnerable communities nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com