How student safety is maintained amid concerns regarding immigration enforcement

Recent media reports regarding targeted Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts in the Twin Cities area have surfaced concerns from students and families regarding enforcement action and the safety of students in the school setting. It is important to know that the District is not permitted to inquire about a student’s immigration status and the District is legally obligated to educate and support all of students regardless of their immigration status. 

The following information provides an overview of how student safety is maintained within the Anoka-Hennepin School District regarding these concerns.

Know the law: Generally, ICE cannot enter a school unless they have a valid judicial warrant which must be signed by a Judge and have specific names and details listed. An administrative warrant signed by the ICE administration is likely insufficient to allow enforcement activity at school. In order to ensure that the due process rights of students are adequately protected, District practice will be to require the production of a judicial warrant in order for ICE officials to be permitted access to a student.   

Go deeper: A January 2025 federal policy change on ICE enforcement was modified from directives over the last 13 years which considered schools or locations where "children gather, disaster or emergency relief sites, and social services establishments" as “protected locations.”

• This policy change only applies to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection - not local law enforcement.
• ICE Agents will not gain access to students without a valid judicial warrant and review and direction from the District’s legal counsel.

In the event ICE agents present a valid judicial warrant: 

• School hallways will be cleared and the building will be placed in a hold, where students remain safe in their classrooms, until ICE has left the building. 
• Parents and guardians of any impacted students will be contacted immediately by the school. School will advise parents from coming to school should ICE enforcement action be taking place. 

More to know: Data privacy laws will be followed. Schools will not volunteer information for a student or family that is not legally required to be provided. Phone numbers and addresses are protected by data privacy laws. 

• School should be considered a safe place for students with caring staff and strong policies in place to ensure safety. 
• Should a family report a student's absence from school due to safety concerns that should be treated as an excused absence. 
• Anoka-Hennepin Schools has a strong partnership with local police and law enforcement agencies to ensure safety in our schools. 

School district employees should take no action to hinder the actions of ICE Agents legally approved for enforcement action on school property, similar to how matters involving local law enforcement are managed.