Denver Public Schools (DPS), the largest school district in Colorado, has become the first in the U.S. to sue the Trump administration over concerns about immigration raids on school grounds.
The district filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
The lawsuit challenges the removal of a policy that previously designated schools, churches, and other locations as “sensitive areas,” restricting immigration enforcement in those places.
Policy Change Creates Fear Among Students
The policy, first introduced in 2011 under President Barack Obama, was removed by the Trump administration. DPS argues that without this protection, students and staff are worried about their safety.
The district has had to spend time and resources educating students and staff on how to respond if immigration officers show up at schools.
According to the lawsuit, some students are skipping school because they fear immigration enforcement actions might take place on school property. This has led to a noticeable decline in attendance.
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
President Donald Trump, following through on his campaign promise to deport illegal immigrants in large numbers, lifted the ICE-restricting policy shortly after taking office.
Since January 20, thousands of undocumented immigrants have been arrested and deported. The administration has focused on targeting individuals with criminal records in the U.S. or their home countries.
Tom Homan, Trump’s Border Czar, has emphasized that ICE is prioritizing the “worst offenders first.” However, no known ICE raids have taken place at Denver schools so far.
Lawsuit Aims to Reinstate School Protection
The lawsuit seeks to reinstate the policy that prevents immigration enforcement from taking place at schools.
Denver Public Schools has also trained staff on how to handle ICE officers if they attempt to enter school buildings. Staff members have been instructed to deny entry unless officers present a judge-signed warrant.
The lawsuit highlights that parents trust public schools to provide a safe learning environment for their children, free from the fear of immigration enforcement.
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Impact on Denver’s Immigrant Community
Denver Public Schools reported having over 90,000 students in the 2023-2024 school year, with approximately 4,000 identified as immigrants.
The city has experienced a rapid population increase, with around 43,000 people arriving from the southern border in recent years.
The lawsuit argues that removing protections for schools harms the education system and puts unnecessary stress on students and their families. DPS hopes that by taking legal action, they can restore a sense of safety for students and staff.
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