Editorial: Concerns over ICE raids shouldn’t hurt students; rights, and options, exist

Immigration officers now have free reign to conduct immigration raids at our nation’s schools. The Donald Trump administration announced last week that his mass deportation orders could include raids at locations that traditionally have been respected, including churches and schools.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees our nation’s immigration agencies, issued a statement asserting that “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.” Other administration officials have indicated that the centuries-old tradition of sanctuary at places of worship will be ignored.

Some of the new policies and announcements clash not only with established policy, which Trump might be able to change, but also with laws and even constitutional provisions that he can’t. School districts, human rights advocates and other groups, including local governments, already have filed lawsuits challenging the changes.

These developments are of special concern here in the Rio Grande Valley and other border areas that are Ground Zero for immigration issues, and where both federal and state attention has been focused for years. Gov. Greg Abbott this week dispatched 400 new troops to the Valley, where they join hundreds of Public Safety troopers, federal troops and other law enforcers who also have been sent here. It only stands to reason that anti-immigrations will be larger, and more severe, along the border than in other parts of the country.

It’s also understandable if Valley families are concerned about their children amid possible immigration raids at their schools. Before they decide to withdraw their children from those schools, however, they might benefit from a few facts.

If Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other policing agencies — Texas has enacted a law giving state and local agencies authority to enforce federal immigration laws — seek to enter a school campus, it’s unknown how they might react.

Raids at schools might be futile. The 1982 Supreme Court ruling in Plyler vs. Doe held that the Constitution’s equal protection clause requires schools to teach all students, regardless of legal status. In addition, laws protect students’ privacy, making it difficult to obtain their residency status. Many schools don’t even keep such information on their students.

Still, some parents might with to avoid any risks at all. Their fears shouldn’t deprive their children of an education, however.

Some COVID-era alternatives created to address school closures remain available. Home schooling networks and remote schools still operate, as many families decided to keep their students in such programs rather than return them to traditional public schools.

Legal challenges will clarify what immigration policies can and can’t be carried out, but their resolution will take time. In addition, many hope that voters will move away from such harsh policies in upcoming elections.

In the meantime, families should seek information regarding what’s best for their children. One thing is certain: removing their educational opportunities isn’t in their best interests.

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