Prince George’s County Public Schools is addressing community concerns about federal immigration enforcement after President Donald Trump’s administration allowed ICE to make arrests in schools.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a directive on Jan. 20 that permits Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officers to make arrests in “sensitive locations,” including schools, places of worship and hospitals. PGCPS officials aim to educate community members about their immigration rights and reaffirm their commitment to making schools safe for students.

PGCPS wrote in a statement to The Diamondback on Tuesday that it is aware of Trump’s recent executive orders targeting immigration and is working to understand their potential impacts on students, families and staff.

“We are steadfast in our commitment to providing every child — regardless of immigration status — with a high-quality education in a safe, welcoming environment,” the statement read.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, Latin American and Caribbean countries comprised all of the top 10 countries in ICE deportations from arrests in the United States during fiscal years 2021 to 2024. Latino students made up more than 40 percent of all PGCPS students as of September 2023, according to PGCPS’ website.

[UMD shares guidance for interactions with federal immigration enforcement officers]

The school system recommends families update their emergency contacts, create a family preparedness plan in case of an emergency and stay up to date with recent immigration developments in the news, according to PGCPS’ website.

On Friday, the Prince George’s County Board of Education held a special business meeting to pass a resolution outlining its policies about immigration enforcement.

PGCPS associate student services superintendent Elizabeth Faison and operations supervisor for safety and security services Mary Outlaw shared information during Friday’s meeting about security guidelines when interacting with ICE.

Principals, educators and staff are instructed to:

  • Ask officers for identification — including their name, ID number and supervisor’s phone number — and request documentation such as an arrest or search warrant.
    • If ICE does not have a valid warrant or subpoena, staff are directed not to release any personally identifiable information.
  • Inform PGCPS’ Office of General Counsel about the interaction immediately at 301-952-6063.
  • Ask ICE officers to wait outside while contacting the general counsel office for guidance.
  • Provide general counsel with all details and documents.
  • Notify the parents or guardians of the student involved in their preferred language when possible and inform security personnel.
    • If a student is removed by ICE, the school is required to request information about where the student is being taken before informing the parent or guardian, general counsel office and superintendent’s office.
  • Document and record as much information as possible from the interaction.
  • Never intervene physically if an officer does not comply.

PGCPS’ school safety and security office contacted ICE’s Maryland field office director, who confirmed that ICE is targeting people with open criminal warrants and that it does not intend to conduct random sweeps at schools, Outlaw said during the meeting.

Outlaw also confirmed that school resource officers are not obligated to work with ICE if agents show up on school grounds.

Donna Christy, president of the Prince George’s County Educators Association — a union that represents PGCPS educators — spoke in support of the resolution and emphasized educators’ legal rights when interacting with immigration enforcement during Friday’s meeting.

Christy emphasized that educators are prohibited from sharing student information, including immigration status, without a court-ordered subpoena under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. She also highlighted that the Fourth Amendment ensures ICE cannot enter classrooms or schools without a judicial warrant.

Christy also urged residents to advocate for the passage of the Maryland General Assembly’s “Protecting Sensitive Locations Act.” The act would limit the presence of immigration enforcement in sensitive locations while maintaining compliance with federal and state laws.

PGCPS District 2 school board member Jonathan Briggs told The Diamondback he has heard some families are deciding to unenroll their children from school. PGCPS is “very resolute” on what is acceptable on school grounds, Briggs said.

“We, being the superintendent and school board collaboratively, have let our school leaders know … that ICE is not welcomed on school grounds.” Briggs said.

In response to community members’ heightened concerns, PGCPS superintendent Millard House II released a statement on Jan. 30 affirming the school system’s commitment to ensuring students stay in a safe environment.

[Maryland releases guidance for law enforcement, health care facilities on immigration]

House’s statement confirmed that PGCPS will not share any information regarding student legal status with ICE and provided resources for families to stay educated on current policies.

Faison said PGCPS will continue to provide mental health support for students through Hazel Health — a free online telehealth provider that allows students to meet with a doctor or therapist — and school counselors and psychologists.

District 6 Prince George’s County Council member Wala Blegay told The Diamondback that many residents now fear going to grocery stores and sending their children to school. The potential of ICE showing up is “very scary” for parents, Blegay added.

Many educators are concerned about the federal policy’s repercussions on student mental health and learning, Christy told The Diamondback. Fear can create a psychological barrier for students, making it difficult to focus on learning, she added.

“It is sending a river of fear through our community,” Christy said. “We have students who are now not showing up to school for fear, which is dropping our attendance and obviously preventing our next generation from being able to be successful and grow.”