CARMEL – President Trump’s granting the nation’s top immigration enforcement agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the authority to apprehend migrants suspected of being in the country illegally in or near schools, has resulted in school boards around the country taking precautions to reassure students, parents and families.
John Fabbricatore, a retired ICE field office director, told Newsweek Magazine the policy change does not specifically aim to increase operations in schools, but rather to remove restrictions on ICE’s ability to operate in neighborhoods around sensitive locations.
“They didn’t get rid of it so they could go into schools and churches. They got rid of it so they could actually go into just a regular neighborhood,” he said.
At this week’s meeting of the Carmel Board of Education, Trustee James Wise asked, “What will happen should ICE agents show up at any one of our buildings? Is our staff prepared and knows what to do?”
Board President Melissa Orser explained that “district wide administration had been trained recently on exactly what to do if any ICE personnel come to campus. The district will implement the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act. We do not share any personalized identifying information with anyone including federal agencies unless there is a legitimate educational purpose. The district does not also accept administrative warrants. However, we do follow legitimate judicial laws.”
Wise also asked if parents would be notified should ICE agents visit a school campus.
Superintendent Michael Plotkin said the community is always advised. “When we feel there is a valid reason to communicate, we do.”
When threats last week were left at Carmel High School advising that bombs had been placed in the school, the district notified the community.
During the open session at the conclusion of the meeting when parents and residents have an opportunity to chat with the board, Abigail Lyon of Lake Carmel, described the ICE infiltration into neighborhoods as being a “real fear people have. Our children are suffering. One doesn’t know who to trust now-a-days. We are living through terrifying times. We cannot be blind or close our eyes because you might not look like me. I want to make sure that the children of our community when they come to school feel safe while being educated, not worrying about what will happen if they go outside for lunch or recess. They want to feel secure knowing that the administration will protect them.”
Lyons admitted “worrying every day when my husband leaves the house; my brother leaves the house, and my children head off to school because their skin is not protected. Please understand these are real fears,” she told the trustees.