If ICE Comes To Central Bucks: Superintendent Shares Procedures

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Central Bucks School District is assuring the public that it has guidance and procedures in place to protect students and staff during a visit from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officials.

“First, let me be clear that CBSD is committed to maintaining safe, secure, and welcoming environments for all students and staff,” said Superintendent Steven Yanni in a communication to the district. “The recent news that schools and district buildings may be subject to visits by ICE officials has created fear that our safe, secure, and welcoming school environments may be disturbed. We know that many members of our community are concerned.”

Yanni said while the Central Bucks School District – and all other school districts – must comply with federal law, “we are taking steps to ensure that we protect all students and staff.

“As your superintendent, I have been in contact with various experts and legal authorities, including our solicitor, to ensure our procedures for handling visits by ICE officials are completely sound and prioritize the safety and the physical and psychological well-being of our students and staff.”

Yanni said while many believe the likelihood of a visit from ICE in Central Bucks is low, the administration has developed guidance “out of an out of an abundance of caution” to ensure clarity and preparedness.

Here are some of the key elements of the procedures that have been put in place and developed with the district’s solicitor.

• Valid Judicial Warrant Required. ICE officials must present a valid judicial warrant to access any area of the district’s schools or buildings beyond the main office or reception area. All other areas are strictly off limits without a valid judicial warrant. A valid judicial warrant is also required for ICE officials to seek out students or staff whom they suspect may be undocumented. No other type of warrant permits them to do so. ICE officials cannot enter a private area with an immigration warrant or an administrative order unless given consent by a member of the district’s Leadership Team. The district’s Leadership Team will not consent to ICE officials accessing students and staff with this type of documentation.
• Notification of Local Law Enforcement and Counsel. District guidelines require that local police departments are immediately notified via 911 should ICE officials visit district schools. Further, the district’s solicitor will be contacted if ICE officials visit Central Bucks schools.
• Designated Contacts. Key positions at schools and district buildings have been identified as the appropriate contact(s) for ICE officials. Each school also has a designee to assist in the collaboration with and documentation of ICE officials and their actions during their visit. Members of the district’s Leadership Team, security staff, or other identified employees will interact with ICE officials. The district will not ask teachers or staff to interact with ICE officials.
• Commitment to Students. “I want to make it clear that we are deeply committed to our students and staff,” said Yanni.

“I know this is a hard time for many students, staff, families, and community members,” the superintendent added. “We will do everything in our power to maintain their safety and well-being while balancing the responsibility of our required compliance with federal law.”