Will Honor Rights Of Students: East Windsor Schools Brace For Potential ICE Raid

EAST WINDSOR, NJ — The impact of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is echoing in East Windsor, where school officials have issued statements about the wave of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids taking place across the nation.

Superintendent Mark Daniels released a statement to the community last week, reiterating the district’s commitment to protecting the rights of students.

The Trump administration announced it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches, and hospitals, ending a policy that had been in effect since 2011.

“This recent revision means that federal immigration enforcement activities may now possibly occur at schools. In light of this update, the East Windsor Regional School District has established protocols that will be implemented if immigration agents visit any of our schools. These procedures are based on the guidelines that were provided by the New Jersey Department of Education, and reflect the legal standards applicable to students, families, and federal immigration agents. As a school district, we are obligated to adhere to the law, but we must also honor the rights of our students,” Daniels said.

As part of his campaign platform, Trump vowed to immediately launch a nationwide deportation campaign. His administration didn’t waste any time making its first moves. A recent ICE raid in Newark has ramped up anxiety levels across the state.

And residents in East Windsor too are concerned.

“Despite these changes, our district remains steadfast in its commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all of our students. The Supreme Court’s decision in Plyler v. Doe (1982) ensures that every child, regardless of immigration status, has the right to a free public education. To that end, we are dedicated to upholding this right and ensuring that our schools remain welcoming spaces for our students. As a community, we will continue to show compassion and understanding to all students, especially those who may feel vulnerable during these times,” Daniels said.

“If you have any questions, concerns, or seek clarification or guidance, please do not hesitate to contact your school’s principal or counselor. Together, we will remain committed to embracing all of our students and uphold the values of acceptance, empathy, and excellence in education.”

An estimated 733,000 school-aged children are in the U.S. illegally, including 31,000 in New Jersey, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Many more have U.S. citizenship but have parents who are undocumented.

The NJ Department of Education added a page to its website with suggested protocols for schools if an ICE agent seeks to come onto school grounds or access school records. This includes getting the agent's information and any documents that authorize them access to the school, and immediately contacting the superintendent.

Schools are also not required to share information about students' attendance or location without consulting with the superintendent or district legal council.

All local school districts in New Jersey must enroll students regardless of their immigration status, per state and federal regulations, and the Department of Education encourages districts to have systems of support in place for students and families.

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