JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Recently, rumors have circulated about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents visiting schools in Duval County.
As of now, none of these reports have been verified.
However, in response to these concerns, the Office of General Counsel has provided guidance to school staff on handing such situations if they arise.
Here’s what you need to know about the district’s official procedures.
What Happens If ICE Agents Arrive at a School?
1. Access to School Grounds
ICE agents are allowed to enter public areas of schools, similar to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) officers. They do not need a warrant or court order to do so. Principals should treat their presence as they would any other law enforcement agency.
2. Requests to Interview a Specific Student
If an ICE agent requests to speak with a particular student, the principal must follow the same procedures as they would with a JSO officer. This means:
- Notifying the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) immediately.
- Remaining with the student until their parent(s) or guardian(s) arrive.
- Staying with the student while the interview is conducted.
3. Requests to Interview a Group of Students
If ICE agents request to interview a group of students—such as English Language Learners (ELL) or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students—school officials must first contact the district’s legal team before proceeding.
4. Student Records Requests
Student records are protected by law. If an ICE agent requests access to student records, school officials must contact the legal department before providing any information.
5. Directory Information
Principals should not provide student directory information that exclusively includes ELL or ESOL students. If responding to a directory information request, the information must include all students at the school who have not opted out of public directory listings.
Local attorney Belkis Plata, known as “Libra Law” on TikTok, said the guidance provided by DCPS is “within the confines of the law,” adding that “at least a dozen” families have reached out to her regarding the rumors.
“I try to encourage them that in the world that we live, we would hope that doesn’t happen, but we also have to be realistic,” Plata said. “We want to educate them on their rights as parents and also their rights as children. Some parents believe that if I tell my child to just say, ‘Hey, I want my mom, I want my dad,’ that conversations have to cease, and that’s just not the law.”
News4JAX also reached out to the Clay County School District to see if any guidance had been sent out to staff or parents and received the following response:
The Clay County School District is committed to providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students. The District follows strict protocols for all visitors to our campuses and adheres to all relevant state and federal laws and regulations while prioritizing student well-being. We will continue to monitor and comply with all state and federal policy changes that impact our schools.
Clay County School District
DCPS emphasized the importance of cooperating with all law enforcement agencies, including ICE. However, school officials must be careful to follow proper legal protocols before sharing student information or facilitating interviews.
This guidance ensures student rights are upheld while maintaining a cooperative relationship with law enforcement.
As of now, no confirmed ICE activity has been reported in Duval County schools.