Officers enforcing immigration laws will now have the authority to arrest migrants at sensitive locations such as schools and churches following the Trump administration's decision to discard policies that previously restricted such arrests. The move, announced on Tuesday, reverses guidance that had been in place for over a decade, limiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from conducting immigration enforcement in sensitive areas.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that this action aims to empower CBP and ICE to enforce immigration laws and apprehend criminal aliens, including murderers and rapists, who have entered the country illegally. The ICE guidance dates back to 2011, while CBP issued similar guidance in 2013.
President Trump, who has prioritized cracking down on immigration, recently signed executive actions to tighten immigration policies. The administration's efforts have been framed as a means to enable ICE agents and immigration enforcement officials to locate and remove individuals who are unlawfully present in the country.
While the announcement was anticipated, it has raised concerns among advocates who fear that the presence of immigration enforcement near places like schools and churches could deter migrants from seeking medical attention or allowing their children to attend school.
Under the previous 'sensitive locations' guidance, officers were generally required to seek approval for enforcement operations in those areas, with exceptions allowed for national security concerns. The Trump administration maintained this guidance during its first term but reinstated similar restrictions on immigration enforcement at courthouses.
Many schools across the country have been proactively engaging with immigrant families and local law enforcement to address potential concerns. In California, officials have provided guidance to schools on state laws limiting local involvement in immigration enforcement.
Several schools, including the Fresno Unified School District in California and the Chicago Public Schools, have policies in place that prohibit assisting ICE in enforcing immigration laws on their premises without a valid court order.
Over the years, numerous migrants have sought sanctuary in churches to evade immigration enforcement. Churches, such as the St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church in New York City, have taken steps to inform ICE and Homeland Security that they are not permitted on church property without a warrant.
Despite the policy change, churches like St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church remain committed to providing a place of safety to individuals, regardless of their immigration status, emphasizing the importance of upholding rights and the rule of law.
