The possibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entering schools has raised concerns among parents and educators across the United States. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Thursday that there are no immediate plans for agents to visit schools in Washington D.C. when students return to classes on Monday.
However, he did not rule out campus operations under “special circumstances,” such as welfare checks for unaccompanied minors or responses to violent incidents. This ambiguity, in the context of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, has intensified fears in immigrant communities.
ICE in schools: What did Lyons say?
In an interview with NBC News, Lyons stated that parents will not see ICE agents in schools from the first day of school.
However, he noted that the agency could go to campuses to locate unaccompanied minors registered at the southern border.
“We want to make sure those children are safe and, if possible, reunite them with their parents,” he explained.
He also mentioned that a “compelling circumstance,” such as a violent act, would justify ICE’s presence in a school.
In 2024, ICE identified 11,000 unaccompanied minors in public schools, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
For example, in California, a recent incident at Arleta High School in Los Angeles, where a 15-year-old student was detained by ICE near the campus, sparked criticism from educators.
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Carla Martinez called the event “traumatic” and called for protection for students.
Impact on immigrant communities
The rescission of ICE’s “sensitive location” policy, which since 2011 limited operatives in schools, hospitals and places of worship, has generated a 22% increase in school absences in California’s Central Valley, according to a June 2025 Stanford University study.
This region, home to many immigrant farm workers, reported especially high absenteeism among elementary school students.
In March, 78 U.S. school districts warned that the presence of ICE near schools has increased school anxiety and dropout rates, according to a report by the National Education Association.
In addition, the recent raids have generated confusion. Lyons admitted that some U.S. citizens have been mistakenly detained, either because of mistaken identity or for allegedly assaulting agents.
“We are working on training to avoid these mistakes,” he assured, insisting that the operations are “targeted” and not random.
Since January, ICE has arrested 352,000 undocumented immigrants, according to the Department of Homeland Security, stoking fears in immigrant communities.
Local reactions and pressure in Washington
In Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser addressed the parents’ concerns at a press conference Wednesday.
“We are making adjustments to ensure everyone’s safety,” he said, without detailing specific measures.
The capital city, which is home to 28,000 immigrant students in its public schools, has strengthened protocols to limit cooperation with ICE, following its status as a sanctuary city.
However, the presence of the National Guard in the city, ordered by Trump in July, has raised tensions, with 4,000 troops deployed to support immigration operations.
For their part, organizations such as the National Council of La Raza have demanded the reinstatement of “sensitive location” protections.
In California, State Senator Nancy Skinner introduced a proposal to declare schools as ICE-free zones, although it has not yet been approved. “Children should not be afraid to go to class,” Skinner declared.
ICE Expansion and Training Changes
ICE faces pressure to increase its workforce from 6,500 to 16,500 deportation agents by the end of 2025, after receiving $75 billion from Congress.
Lyons reported that the agency has received 121,000 applications and is offering $50,000 bonuses for new hires.
To speed up the process, training was reduced from 13 to 8 weeks, eliminating Spanish classes and reducing weapons training.
“We will not sacrifice quality,” Lyons said from the Federal Training Center in Brunswick, Ga.
Nevertheless, uncertainty persists.
As schools prepare for the new cycle, parents and educators are demanding clarity about ICE operations.
With 1.2 million immigrant students in U.S. public schools, according to the Migration Policy Institute, the possibility of campus raids remains a central concern for communities.
This article was originally published in Nueva News.
