CPS principals told keep out immigration agents without warrant

As the Trump administration expands its deportation policy, Chicago Public Schools told its principals Tuesday that they should not let any agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement into schools without a criminal warrant.

"To be very clear, CPS does not provide assistance to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the enforcement of federal civil immigration law," chief education officer Janice Jackson wrote. "Therefore, ICE should not be permitted access to CPS facilities or personnel except in the rare instance in which we are provided with a criminal warrant. If presented with any paperwork from ICE, please call the Law Department before taking any action."

She said that "ICE agents should wait outside while the school is reviewing the matter with the Law Department."

The district also distributed palm cards in English and Spanish from the National Immigrant Justice Center containing such legal advice as not opening doors to immigration officials who do not have a warrant. And it advised schools to have parents update their emergency contact form with backup contacts, saying, "If a child is left stranded at your school and you suspect it is because his or her parent is detained, please exhaust the child's emergency contact list," and to "have a staff member remain with the student."

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