Thomas Breen file photo
Supt. Negrón: "This is a stressful time for many in our community."
If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers attempt to enter New Haven schools, the school district will require them to present a warrant — which will then be reviewed by a legal team and the superintendent’s office.
Then, the district will notify guardians if a warrant specifically mentions their child.
Supt. Madeline Negrón notified New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) parents of that immigration-related update in an email Tuesday afternoon.
Reached for comment Wednesday, district spokesperson Justin Harmon told the Independent that the district has not been aware of any students or staff coming in contact with ICE since President Trump entered office on Jan. 20.
The email came after Gov. Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker issued state guidance to K‑12 schools on Tuesday for protecting students when it comes to immigration enforcement activities. It also comes a month after the city and school district presented at a town hall plans for the anticipated immigration policies of President Donald Trump.
The two-page notice informs parents of the district’s response plan if “non-local law enforcement,” including ICE, attempt to access school buildings.
ICE “may only obtain access to school facilities, students in school, or student records with a proper warrant or subpoena.”
If a warrant is presented, the notice further explains that school staff will present the documentation to the Office of the Superintendent and legal counsel for review, in order to “determine if school staff is legally required to allow ICE to enter the building.”
The district will contact a parent or guardian immediately if a specific student is named in the warrant, to advise them of the situation.
If an ICE officer does not have a proper warrant, staff will refuse access to the building. But if the officer fails to comply, staff “will not physically attempt to interfere with an enforcement action.” Staff are encouraged to obtain as much information from the ICE officer as possible and notify the district’s executive team, including the security chief.
The notice concluded that if a warrant requests student records, the district will not provide ICE officers with a student’s or family’s immigration status — “because the district does not collect or store such information.”
Spokesperson Harmon added that some of those policy elements were formed in accordance with the city’s Welcoming City order a few years ago. “We had discussions with the city to review and update those policies pending the most recent transition in administration.”
Read the full state immigration guidance here. And see below for Negrón’s full letter to parents and guardians.
Supt. Negrón's Jan. 28 Immigrants Rights Email To NHPS Families
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Shortly after the presidential election, I wrote to you to reassure you that our commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all our students and families would never waver. Now, in the wake of the new administration’s decision to allow immigration authorities to make arrests in locations, such as schools, that had previously been regarded as “sensitive” and thus discouraged, I am writing to explain how we will respond.
As you know, for the safety of our students, we keep all school buildings secured. Visitors are greeted by staff who ensure they have good reason to be present in the building. We will continue to follow that practice.
Non-local law enforcement officers, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, may only obtain access to school facilities, students in school, or student records with a proper warrant or subpoena. Thus, if a non-local law enforcement officer, including an ICE officer, presents a warrant of any type, school staff will provide the warrant to the Office of the Superintendent and legal counsel to review and determine if school staff is legally required to allow ICE to enter the building. If a specific student is named in the warrant, once we know the purpose of the visit and whether the warrant is valid, the school will immediately contact a parent or guardian and advise them of what is happening.
If a non-local law enforcement officer does not have a proper warrant, staff will notify the officer they are not allowed into the school. If the officer fails to comply with our instructions, staff will not physically attempt to interfere with an enforcement action. In such a situation, school staff will obtain as much information as possible from the officer and notify the security chief, as well as the Office of the Superintendent. If the non-local law enforcement officer engages with a specific student, staff will immediately contact the parent or guardian. Note that any warrant or subpoena for student records will yield no information about a student’s or family’s immigration status because the district does not collect or store such information.
The City of New Haven has produced a Resource Guide for New Residents that contains helpful information about immigrants’ rights and options. The guide is posted on the school district’s website, as well as at www.newhavenct.gov/welcome. If you have questions or feedback about the schools’ role, please reach out either through your school or our Office of Youth, Family & Community Engagement at 475 – 220-1900.
While we have no specific indication that ICE is intending to come to a New Haven Public School, we have been receiving inquiries from families and want to make sure you have information on how we will respond should this occur. This is a stressful time for many in our community. We will do everything in our power at New Haven Public Schools to foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment that serves all our students.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Madeline Negrón