Recent changes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies expand where agents can take enforcement actions, the Department of Homeland Security announced last week.

The policy changes under the administration of President Donald Trump allow law enforcement officers to arrest people who reside in the United States illegally even if they are within “sensitive” areas — including churches, schools and hospitals.

Those areas previously were off limits for immigration enforcement action.

As a result, school districts across the state, including in Utah County, are attempting to reassure parents that their children are welcome on campuses and have a right to education regardless of their immigration status.

The Alpine School District says its schools are safe places and students should continue to attend classes.

Rich Stowell, communications director for the district, reiterated that they are bound by laws established by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which prohibits education officials from releasing student records without prior parental consent, except in limited circumstances.

“Our buildings aren’t places where anybody can just come in and, you know, detain people, whether they’re law enforcement or not,” Stowell explained.

Both the Provo City and Nebo school districts shared similar sentiments when reached for comment on the matter.

“We don’t want any children to feel like they’re being singled out or excluded. We believe that as a school district, our role is to educate all students,” said Seth Sorensen, spokesperson for the Nebo School District.

In light of the recent policy shifts, the Alpine School District and its board of education are taking a look at their internal procedures and exploring any needed adjustments as a point of guidance for dealing with authorities.

“We’re just looking at our procedures for interfacing with law enforcement generally, and making sure that it is helpful for us as we think through what might happen with immigration enforcement,” Stowell told the Daily Herald.

A spokesperson for the Utah State Board of Education said they have yet to reveal overall guidance on how school districts should handle any immigration enforcement action on school grounds.

“The board has not issued any statements about recent federal policies,” said Ryan Bartlett, USBE’s director of communications, in an email.

Other school districts in Salt Lake City and Weber County sent letters to parents last week outlining what the new federal policy means while also assuring parents of students’ safety at school in hopes of easing anxiety families may be feeling amid the new directives

“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for every student, regardless of their background or circumstances,” Gina Butters, superintendent for the Weber School District, said in a notice.

Both the Weber and Salt Lake City school districts encouraged parents to make sure pertinent contact information is updated and listed resources immigrant families can seek to understand their rights.

None of the Utah County districts sent such letters to parents, but all say they are just as committed to ensuring a safe environment for students of all backgrounds and do not share the immigration status of students or parents with outside agencies.

In the case of the Alpine School District, Stowell said they aren’t ignoring the feelings of uneasiness students and parents are experiencing. As circumstances can vary from family to family, the district is taking a different approach by addressing any specific concerns related to the matter on an individualized basis.

“We’re handling them internally, but those conversations are happening, and they’re very structured and deliberate conversations,” Stowell said.

Preparation in the face of concern

Liliana Bolanos, an immigrant family policy analyst for the nonprofit Voices for Utah Children, says it’s important for families to know their rights and prepare for any potential emergency scenarios.

“These include information on your rights, regardless of immigration status, guidance on creating an emergency preparedness plan, and a directory of trusted immigration services in the state,” Bolanos said in an email.

The nonprofit leads the Utah Immigrant Advocacy Coalition and offers valuable resources that may be beneficial for families.

As school districts assess information issued by the federal government and determine how best to keep students safe on school grounds, Bolanos feels it’s crucial for schools to provide transparency on protocols governing the arrival of an ICE agent on a school campus.

“It is essential for schools to have clear, updated policies in place and to proactively communicate them with the community,” Bolanos told the Daily Herald. “Doing so helps build trust and demonstrates that schools are knowledgeable about and committed to protecting the rights of all students, regardless of immigration status.”

Bolanos said parents also should inquire about any policies or procedures that currently are, or will be, in place.

“Parents can request the school or school district to share the policy or protocol that will be in place if an ICE agent does show up and what communication plans will occur after the fact,” Bolanos said.

Additionally, she feels schools can aid in providing a welcoming environment for all students by using inclusive language and sharing resources available to families of mixed immigration status.