Organizations across Florida have urged the state’s Department of Education to protect students and teachers from school-based immigration enforcement actions. This comes in response to a directive issued by the Trump Administration on January 20, 2025, which rescinded previous guidance prohibiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from conducting enforcement actions in “protected areas” such as schools.
A letter signed by 62 organizations was sent to FLDOE Commissioner Manny Diaz. The letter expressed concerns that such enforcement actions could “traumatize youth and school staff, cause profound disruption to school activities, and put the safety and well-being of our children at risk.” It emphasized that schools are considered safe spaces under Florida’s constitution.
Among those involved in this initiative are several signatories who participated in a press conference: Florida Policy Institute (FPI), Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), Florida PTA, P.S. 305, and Pastors for Florida Children.
Norín Dollard, PhD, senior policy analyst at FPI, stated: “Article IX of the Florida Constitution states the ‘adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools.’ The reason that FPI got involved in this effort is because Florida prospers when all of its students can enjoy a high quality public education.”
Latha Krishnaiyer from the Florida PTA remarked: “No child should be approached by law enforcement without parental notification… Everyone should be able to send their children to school, to a safe environment that’s free from law enforcement actions against immigrant status.”
Rev. Rachel Gunter Shapard of Pastors for Florida Children commented: “Our public schools should be places that are welcoming to all Florida’s children… Yet if any of our children are subjected to fear regarding coming to school or trauma… this is a detriment to their human development.”
Valentina Pilonieta, a teacher in Santa Rosa, shared her fears for her students’ safety: “These are dark times and every day I fear for my students and their families… I ask that you give them happiness every day.”
Mina Hosseini from P.S. 305 said: “We believe that no child should have to walk into school with fear in their heart… The decision to strip schools of their status as safe spaces isn’t just an attack against immigrant families; it’s an attack on our entire public education system.”
Renata Bozzetto from FLIC expressed concern over the lack of guidance protecting constitutional rights within educational settings: “Schools are becoming very unsafe places… We do know that we thrive when we have the opportunity to educate our children.”
The letter urges FLDOE to provide guidance ensuring:
– Affirmation of all students’ right — protected by federal law —to free public education regardless of immigration status.
– Prohibition on federal immigration officials entering school grounds without prior review.
– Awareness among staff about rights concerning student information protection under FERPA.
– Prevention measures against faculty acting as de facto immigration officials.
– Publication policies prominently displayed at all school sites communicated with parents/guardians.
