As President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration approaches, New York City public schools are offering “Know Your Rights” training sessions to immigrant families and staff in response to his promise of mass deportations.
In an email sent to school principals last week, the Department of Education (DOE) reminded them of the city’s policies regarding immigrant students. The email emphasized that public schools do not collect information about students’ immigration status. Additionally, a 2017 local law restricts immigration officers from entering city government properties, such as schools, without a warrant. The message also reminded principals that all students, regardless of their immigration status, are entitled to attend public schools.
“In this time of change, we understand that many in our community may be feeling anxious or uncertain,” said Emma Vadehra, Deputy Chancellor for Operations and Finance. “Our focus remains on providing high-quality education and ensuring that schools remain safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces.”
This initiative comes as New York City braces for the second term of President Trump and his plans to increase deportations. City officials are also considering closing a migrant shelter on federal parkland and plan to remove National Guard troops from shelters by the end of the year, amidst concerns about potential changes in federal policies. As of 2022, New York City was home to an estimated 412,000 undocumented immigrants.
Department of Education policies prohibit principals from allowing non-local law enforcement, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to enter schools. If ICE agents attempt to access school facilities or student records, security guards are instructed to alert principals, who are then required to consult DOE legal counsel for guidance. ICE raids at schools have been “extremely rare,” according to agency guidelines.
“Our schools are safe spaces for children, and nothing about how we operate has changed,” said Nicole Brownstein, a DOE spokesperson. “We do not allow non-NYC law enforcement, including ICE, to enter schools unless absolutely required by law. We do not track or ask families about their immigration status.”
The DOE is collaborating with Project Rousseau, an immigrant advocacy group, to host training sessions for both parents and school staff. Naveed Hassan, a parent leader at P.S. 145 on the Upper West Side, plans to propose a resolution to the Panel for Education Policy, reaffirming that schools will serve all students regardless of immigration status. Hassan emphasized the importance of ensuring school leaders and staff are properly trained to follow existing immigration enforcement policies.
“We just want to make sure that policies are highlighted and that staff are aware that we are not in the business of deporting children in our schools,” Hassan said.
Local law also prevents the city from using public resources to assist with federal immigration enforcement. New York City is one of over 170 localities with similar policies limiting cooperation with ICE.
However, Mayor Eric Adams has signaled support for scaling back some of the city’s sanctuary laws, suggesting that the NYPD should assist in deporting immigrants involved in criminal activity.
Immigration advocates argue that it’s essential for the city to re-train staff on existing policies that protect immigrant communities. Yasmine Farhang, Director of Advocacy at the Immigration Defense Project, shared a recent case where a Venezuelan mother was detained by ICE for a month after city child welfare workers improperly shared her information.
“We need New York City to do more to protect our communities and ensure that city agencies are following the laws that serve as a lifeline for many immigrants,” said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition.
Advocates are also urging the City Council to pass a bill that would allow immigrant New Yorkers to file lawsuits against the city when sanctuary laws are violated. The bill is still pending and has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
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