ICE Immigration

Several public school districts across the United States have promised in recent days to try to

protect undocumented immigrant students and their families from President Donald Trump's mass deportation push. 

The Trump Administration removed restrictions that prevented Immigration and Customs

Enforcement (ICE) from conducting raids at vulnerable locations such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship. This has led to increased fears within teachers and families. Many public school districts in cities have been refusing to report information to federal immigration

authorities and by making it harder for authorities to enter school grounds. 

The Migration Policy Institute estimates 733,000 illegal school-aged children live in the

United States. 

ICE arrested 956 people on Sunday, February 2, but an NBC News report found

immigration authorities had close to 1,200 arrests that day. Nearly 52% were considered

criminal arrests. The rest appeared to be nonviolent offenders or people who have not

committed any criminal offense other than crossing the border illegally. 

Arrest numbers increased again the next day, as the agency said it made 1,179 arrests

and 853 detainers were lodged. Monday. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were at least 4,829

arrests since the inauguration. 

In September 2024, the Biden administration arrested an average of 282 people per day.

Over the last six days, the Trump administration's daily average is 753. 

Many migrant and immigrant children were missing from schools In New York. Some

schools noticed an increased drop in attendance in elementary schools. 

Bridgeport Public Schools announced Tuesday its guidelines to protect students if

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempted to raid any schools. "Every student in Bridgeport, regardless of their immigration status, has the right to feel

secure and supported in our schools. I became an educator to advocate for all students, and I

will ensure their rights and privacy are upheld. Our schools will remain a safe space where all

students can learn, grow, and succeed without fear or discrimination," Superintendent of

Bridgeport Schools Dr. Royce Avery said.

Sindy Salazar, who works at Uceda International and has a location on Main Street in

Danbury, said the organization works with over 200 students. The majority of them are

immigrants. She said she has been overhearing her students's fears about deportation. 

"We tell them everything's going to be OK and not to worry," Salazarshe said.

"Sometimes they don't feel comfortable talking about that, but we noticed that some students are now preferring to take classes online, besides coming to classes in person. It started to happen in December so we think it can be related to Trump being reelected," Salazar said.

“As I understand it, the intention of protections removed allows for raids to occur in those

areas not necessarily within the schools. Our administration has provided assurances that

removals within our school will not happen. Many things that have been reported in the

mainstream news media are not always reported accurately and incites fear which is

unfortunate. Illegals who have committed crimes need to be deported and that should be the

priority. If the law had been followed and the border had been secured perhaps Laken Riley

would be alive today,” NHS Flex teacher Colleen Kimball said.

ICE agents were reported in Stamford. They were seen pulling people over and asking

for proof of American citizenship. Those unable to provide proof were allegedly held for 24

hours or until proof was provided.

ICE arrests have included crimes besides going over the border illegally, a Honduran

national was driving while intoxicated, a Jamaican national accused of immoral acts, and

Colombian national arrested in San Francisco.

However, the majority of recent arrests were on illegal citizens that have not committed a

crime besides coming to America illegally.