ICE Raids: Lyons Township High Prepares

LA GRANGE, IL – Lyons Township High School informed its staff late last week about the new federal policy that schools are now subject to immigration raids.

Last week, President Donald Trump ended the 14-year-old policy of keeping schools and churches as restricted spaces from immigration enforcement.

The school provided its statement to staff in response to an inquiry from Patch.

"In light of inquiries related to recent executive orders and news about federal immigration policies, we want to reaffirm our commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment where all students and staff feel a sense of belonging and can achieve academic and social emotional success," Superintendent Brian Waterman said in a statement to staff Thursday.

His statement noted a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court case that ruled that schools cannot deny education based on immigration status.

The school vowed to continue following the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which bars schools from releasing private student information unless required by law.

The school asked employees to keep all external doors locked and secured. It also requested they inform a supervisor or administrator immediately if a request for student information or immigration enforcement occurs at any school-sponsored event.

"As is the case every day, it is essential that we are all committed to building safety and adhere to the visitor protocols that have been established by our Building Leadership Team in collaboration with a school safety expert," the statement said.

All visitors, including government agents, must be directed to the main office to check in appropriately, the school said.

Other school districts are giving similar guidance.