The Trump Administration has revoked long-standing sensitive location protections, allowing U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest undocumented individuals on the grounds of schools, churches, and hospitals without prior approval. This move marks a drastic shift from policies in place since 2011, which aimed to protect access to essential services without fear of immigration enforcement.
The rollback is part of President Donald Trump’s broader agenda to expand immigration enforcement and speed up deportations. Previously, ICE needed supervisory approval to conduct arrests at these locations, except in extreme cases. Now, arrests can happen without restriction, raising concerns about students, families, and community members avoiding schools and medical care out of fear.
Several Texas school districts are taking a “wait and see” approach to the Trump Administration’s mass deportation plans. State legislators sent a letter to Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath, calling on the department to provide direction to school districts on how to proceed. Read the full letter here.
This is not just a policy change – it’s a direct attack on students, educators, and families who rely on these spaces as safe havens. Every child, regardless of their immigration status, deserves access to quality education without fear of deportation.
When the life of a child is disrupted by the arrest or deportation of a close family member, they experience trauma that impacts their lives both inside and outside their home. Outside of the home, children spend much of their time at school. As a union of professional educators and school employees entrusted with our students’ well-being, Texas AFT is extremely concerned about the impact that rolling back these protections will have in our state. Stay tuned to the Hotline and the Texas AFT Mobilize page for upcoming webinars on this important issue.
All Texas AFT members should have received an email earlier this week with materials related to your rights on school grounds and resources to support students and families in your community. If you are a member and did not receive this information, please contact us at info@texasaft.org.