EdTrust-New York Denounces Trump Administration’s Policy on Immigration Arrests in Schools

Jan 24, 2025 | Press Release

NEW YORK — EdTrust-New York strongly condemns the Trump administration’s decision to allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools. This policy directly threatens the safety and well-being of students who are undocumented and from mixed-status families, driving many to avoid school out of fear. Schools must remain safe, welcoming, and supportive environments for all students and their families, regardless of immigration status. This policy directly undermines that core principle. 

This policy deeply concerns us because it will impact families’ access to schools. Parents and caregivers should feel safe when dropping off or picking up their children and attending important events like parent-teacher conferences.  

School districts across the state are telling EdTrust-New York that families fear sending their children to school. Students as young as five years old fear their classrooms and struggle to focus on learning and enjoying their childhood. District leaders are scrambling to develop systems that will help families and students feel secure. 

We urge districts to consider how to support students who stop attending school in person. Districts should apply lessons learned from remote learning during the pandemic, while being mindful of the risks posed by students’ use of trackable devices. We also encourage districts to create actionable plans for providing mental health support to students whose parents face deportation, who witness an ICE raid in their classrooms or on playgrounds, and who experience the fear this administration is intentionally instilling in spaces like schools and churches—places meant to be safe. 

This decision could also jeopardize students from mixed-status families, especially in terms of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and access to financial aid. As we continue to advocate for educational equity, we must address how this policy could disrupt students’ ability to pursue higher education. 

In this critical moment, EdTrust-New York stands firm in our commitment to protecting the safety and rights of all students. We demand the administration reverse this harmful policy immediately. At the state level, we applaud Governor Hochul, the Office of the New York State Attorney General, and the State Education Department for promptly releasing guidance to school districts. This guidance helps protect students and families and clarifies the legal boundaries for non-local law enforcement accessing schools. In addition to promoting Know Your Rights information, we urge state leaders to use all the power at their disposal to protect students and their families. 

Our schools must remain places where every child, regardless of their immigration status, feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.