Addressing Fears of ICE Raids, CPS Commits to Prioritizing Student Safety

As Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers conduct raids for undocumented immigrants across the country, officials on Beacon Hill and at Cambridge Public School assured families that they will defend students.

The Department of Homeland Security announced on Jan. 21 that ICE agents will now be able to arrest people in schools. The announcement ends a Biden administration guideline preventing ICE raids in “sensitive” locations — like schools, churches, and hospitals.

Three days after the DHS announcement, CPS Interim Superintendent David G. Murphy sent a letter to district affiliates assuring them that “in Cambridge, students are and will be safe when they come to our schools.”

That day, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Cambell sent out an advisory to educators across the state, providing guidance after the policy change. The advisory states that schools must provide equal access to education to all students regardless of immigration status, and outlined school procedures in the case of an ICE raid.

“In the event that an ICE agent asks to question or remove a student from their classroom, schools must obtain the specific, informed written consent of a parent or guardian or be provided with a valid, judicial warrant signed by a federal or state judge,” the advisory states.

The advisory also states that schools may not provide a student’s personally identifiable information to an ICE agent without the specific, informed written consent of a parent or guardian.

Murphy wrote in his letter that “CPS does not voluntarily release students or their records to anyone other than their parents and guardians.”

“We are supported in this position by our ongoing partnership with local law enforcement and city leaders,” he added.

In a statement to The Crimson, Murphy wrote of the district’s “support of students and families will continue for as long as it takes.”

“To put this as clearly as I can: If federal agents were to arrive at a CPS school without appropriate legal documentation, they would be treated like any other non-school or family representative without an appropriate basis to be there,” he added.

In his letter to district families, Murphy wrote about how the district has responded in the wake of this recent federal policy.

“I am grateful to the CPS staff and community members who have offered their support to families faced with uncertainty and efforts to instill intimidation,” he wrote.

“Although the stress many feel is pronounced at this moment, it is equaled by our district and community’s continued dedication to equity, inclusivity, and justice for all children,” he added.

Murphy also emphasized the importance of students feeling safe in school in his statement.

“Schools have to be a place in which students are focused on their instruction, and in which they feel safe to do so,” Murphy wrote.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that is the case,” he added.

— Staff writer Ayaan Ahmad can be reached at ayaan.ahmad@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @ayaanahmad2024.

— Staff writer Claire A. Michal can be reached at claire.michal@thecrimson.com.