BCSC issues staff instructions if ICE officials seek to interview or detain students

COLUMBUS, Ind. (The Republic) — Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. has issued instructions to staff outlining what they are expected to do if federal immigration officials turn up at a school seeking to interview or detain a student.

Concerns that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents may show up at schools have grown following the Trump administration’s decision last week to allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at places previously designated as “sensitive locations,” including schools, The Associated Press reported.

Following the policy change, school corporations across the country, including BCSC, have sought to reassure parents that schools continue to be safe places for their children.

“While it is true that schools and other sites recently lost the ‘sensitive location’ designation, BCSC policy 5540 and administrative guideline 5540A discourage law enforcement from interrogating or interviewing students on school grounds,” the message to staff states. “Policy also acknowledges BCSC’s responsibility to cooperate with law enforcement agencies, but we will do so while safeguarding the rights and well-being of all students while they are in our care.”

For the full story, see Saturday’s Republic.

This article originally appeared in the The Republic.