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Trump won't ban immigration arrests at school. Some families are now weighing school attendance

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Trump won't ban immigration arrests at school. Some families are now weighing school attendance
News

News

Trump won't ban immigration arrests at school. Some families are now weighing school attendance

2025-01-23 07:57 Last Updated At:08:02

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — As President Donald Trump cracks down on immigrants in the U.S. illegally, some families are wondering if it is safe to send their children to school.

In many districts, educators have sought to reassure immigrant parents that schools are safe places for their kids, despite the president's campaign pledge to carry out mass deportations. But fears intensified for some when the Trump administration announced Tuesday it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches and hospitals, ending a policy that had been in effect since 2011.

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Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, has been given a flyer explaining an immigrant's rights and a wristband with a hotline to report U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity by a local NGO, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, has been given a flyer explaining an immigrant's rights and a wristband with a hotline to report U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity by a local NGO, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, holds a card given to her by the school her grandchildren attend Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, holds a card given to her by the school her grandchildren attend Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, is photographed at her apartment Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, is photographed at her apartment Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, is photographed at her apartment Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, is photographed at her apartment Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

A student arrives for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

A student arrives for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

A student arrives for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

A student arrives for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Students arrive for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Students arrive for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

“Oh, dear God! I can’t imagine why they would do that,” said Carmen, an immigrant from Mexico, after hearing that the Trump administration had rescinded the policy against arrests in “sensitive locations.”

She took her two grandchildren, ages 6 and 4, to their school Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area after school officials assured her it is safe.

“What has helped calm my nerves is knowing that the school stands with us and promised to inform us if it’s not safe at school,” said Carmen, who spoke on condition that only her first name be used, out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials.

Immigrants across the country have been anxious about Trump's pledge to deport millions of people. While fears of raids did not come to pass on the administration's first days, rapid changes on immigration policy have left many confused and uncertain about their future.

Several schools said they were fielding calls from worried parents about rumors that immigration agents would try to enter schools, but it was too early to tell whether large numbers of families are keeping their children home.

Missing school can deprive students of more than learning. For students from low-income families, including many immigrants, schools are a primary way to access food, mental health services and other support.

Tuesday’s move to clear the way for arrests at schools reverses guidance that restricted two federal agencies — Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection — from carrying out enforcement in sensitive locations. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said: "Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”

Daniela Anello, who heads D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School in the nation’s capital, said she was shocked by the announcement.

“It’s horrific,” Anello said. “There’s no such thing as hiding anyone. It doesn’t happen, hasn’t happened. ... It’s ridiculous.”

In the memo rescinding the policy, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman said it was unnecessary to have “bright line rules” dictating where immigration laws can be enforced. But he said officers should continue using discretion and “a healthy dose of common sense” around entering sensitive locations, such as schools.

An estimated 733,000 school-aged children are in the U.S. illegally, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Many more have U.S. citizenship but have parents who are in the country illegally.

Education officials in some states and districts have vowed to stand up for immigrant students, including their right to a public education. In California, officials have reminded schools of state law limiting local participation in immigration enforcement. New York City schools last month highlighted policies including one against collecting information on students' immigration statuses.

A resolution passed by Chicago Public Schools’ Board of Education in November said schools would not assist ICE in enforcing immigration law.

“We're trying to simplify for our staff, making it clear we're just not going to interact with ICE,” district CEO Pedro Martinez said. He said he anticipated little fallout from a new Justice Department directive to investigate state or local officials blocking the federal crackdown on immigration. If federal agents turn up at any of Chicago's 633 schools, he said, they will have to present a valid court or judicial order. “Even then, they're going to have to go through my legal department,” Martinez said.

The district has been stressing to families that school is still the safest place for children. “It's hard because there is so much noise,” Martinez said. “There's just a huge megaphone that we're fighting against.”

That's not the case everywhere. Many districts have not offered any reassurances for immigrant families.

Educators at Georgia Fugees Academy Charter School have learned even students and families in the country legally are intimidated by Trump’s wide-ranging proposals to deport millions of immigrants and roll back non-citizens' rights.

“They’re not even at risk of deportation and they’re still scared,” Chief Operating Officer Luma Mufleh said. Officials at the small Atlanta charter school focused on serving refugees and immigrants expected so many students to miss school the day after Trump took office that educators accelerated the school’s exam schedule so students wouldn’t miss important tests.

Asked on Tuesday for attendance data, school officials did not feel comfortable sharing it. “We don’t want our school to be targeted,“ Mufleh said.

The new policy on immigration enforcement at schools likely will prompt some immigrant parents who fear deportation to keep their children home, even if they face little risk, said Michael Lukens, executive director for the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights. He said he believes it's part of the administration’s goal to make life so untenable that immigrants eventually leave the United States on their own.

While many U.S. adults are on board with the idea of undertaking some targeted deportations, a shift toward arresting people in the country illegally at places like schools would be highly unpopular, according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. It found only about 2 in 10 U.S. adults somewhat or strongly favor arresting children who are in the country illegally while they are at school.

For Iris Gonzalez in Boston, schools seem like just about the only safe place for her to go as someone in the country illegally. She’s had children in Boston schools for nearly a decade and she doesn’t expect anyone there to bother her or her daughters for proof they’re here legally. So her children will keep going to school. “Education is important,” she said in Spanish.

Gonzalez, who came to the U.S. from Guatemala illegally 14 years ago, does worry about entering a courthouse or driving, even though she has a license. “What if they stop me?” she wonders.

“I don’t sleep,” she said. “There’s a lot of uncertainty about how to look for work, whether to keep driving and what’s going to change."

Carmen, the Mexican grandmother who now lives in California, said returning home is not an option for her family, which faced threats after her son-in-law was kidnapped two years from their home in Michoacan state, an area overrun with drug trafficking gangs.

Her family arrived two years ago under former President Joe Biden’s program allowing asylum-seekers to enter the U.S. and then apply for permission to stay. Following his inauguration Monday, Trump promptly shut down the CBP One app that processed these and other arrivals and has promised to “end asylum” during his presidency.

Carmen has had several hearings on her asylum request, which has not yet been granted.

“My biggest fear is that we don’t have anywhere to go back to," she said. "It’s about saving our lives. And protecting our children.”

Sophia Tareen contributed reporting from Chicago.

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, has been given a flyer explaining an immigrant's rights and a wristband with a hotline to report U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity by a local NGO, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, has been given a flyer explaining an immigrant's rights and a wristband with a hotline to report U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity by a local NGO, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, holds a card given to her by the school her grandchildren attend Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, holds a card given to her by the school her grandchildren attend Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, is photographed at her apartment Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, is photographed at her apartment Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, is photographed at her apartment Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Carmen, who only shared her first name out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials, is photographed at her apartment Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

A student arrives for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

A student arrives for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

A student arrives for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

A student arrives for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Students arrive for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Students arrive for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic was the last starter introduced by the Los Angeles Lakers, an honor normally reserved for LeBron James. When Doncic jogged into the spotlight on a darkened court through a cordon of his new teammates, his new fans stood and roared while wearing thousands of gold T-shirts with his name and number.

Even a young superstar could feel the magnificence of the moment.

“I was a little nervous before,” Doncic said. “I (don’t remember) the last time I was nervous before the game. But once I stepped on the court again, it was fun. Just being out there, it felt amazing.”

Doncic's debut with the Lakers was brief and successful Monday night, but it piqued the anticipation of everybody involved for his days and years ahead in Los Angeles.

Doncic scored 14 points while playing just 23 minutes, immediately getting into the flow with James and his teammates during Los Angeles' 132-113 victory over the Utah Jazz. Doncic added five rebounds and four assists — none prettier than a three-quarter-court strike to James for a layup late in the first half.

Doncic was grateful to be playing basketball after nearly seven weeks of injury absence, and he was happy to begin to move past the upheaval in his life ever since the Dallas Mavericks shocked the sports world 10 days ago by trading their 25-year-old centerpiece and NBA scoring champion.

Doncic got multiple standing ovations from a Los Angeles crowd wearing thousands of No. 77 shirts, but his pregame introduction was something he’ll remember for a long time.

“Just the amount of cheering there was in the arena was absolutely unbelievable,” Doncic said. “That was my favorite part — and to play again.”

Doncic said James texted him in the morning and offered to do anything to help — and Doncic took him up on it by taking the final intro spot. They'll swap for the Lakers' next home game next week, Doncic said with a grin.

“Shows what kind of person he is,” Doncic said. “He let me have my moment.”

The Slovenian scorer’s first bucket was a 3-pointer in the opening minutes on his second shot. Doncic scored 11 points while Los Angeles streaked out to a 25-point halftime lead, and he sat down for good with 3:07 left in the third quarter with the Lakers far ahead in their sixth consecutive victory.

The game was Doncic's first since he strained his left calf on Christmas. After a full week to settle in Los Angeles and to return to full strength, Doncic joined James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes as starters for the streaking Lakers, who had won 11 of 13 even before adding a five-time All-NBA selection to their lineup.

The Lakers have Doncic on a minutes restriction after his injury absence. His legs aren't quite there yet — he went 1 for 7 on 3-point attempts in his debut — but his playmaking immediately meshed with his new teammates.

Doncic’s first touch was an alley-oop assist to Hayes, and he hit his 3-pointer moments later. He was serenaded with “Luka! Luka!” chants at the first dead ball, and several times thereafter.

“I just think it could be a thing of beauty, the way we can manipulate the game on the offensive end and get what we want every single possession,” said Reaves, who scored 22 points. “Luka is one of the best passers in the world ... but yeah, I think it’s just the high-level IQ going along with pieces that really fit. (Doncic and James) can shoot the ball, pass the ball, and really play the right way.”

That crowd included Dirk Nowitzki, who overlapped with Doncic for one season in Dallas and served as his mentor. Doncic appeared to be the natural heir to the German Hall of Famer’s incredible run in Dallas — until current Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison decided otherwise.

Coach JJ Redick, who played alongside Doncic for 13 games in 2021 with the Mavericks, was pleased by Doncic's poise and patience in a landmark game.

“Knowing Luka, whether he will admit this or not, there was probably a little bit of nerves playing for the Lakers for the first time, and the anticipation that this building had,” Redick said. “I thought he handled it really well, and he played really well tonight. ... He didn’t make it about Luka. He made it about playing good basketball and playing Laker basketball.”

James returned from a one-game injury absence Monday when the Lakers began a home-and-home set with the Jazz heading into the All-Star break.

“I don’t see any world where those two playing together isn’t a good thing," Utah coach Will Hardy said. "Their processing speed mentally is incredible, and so I’m sure they’ll figure it out.”

Doncic had watched three straight Lakers victories from their bench since arriving in Los Angeles a week ago. Reaves scored a career-high 45 points to lead the Lakers past Indiana 124-117 on Saturday without Doncic or James, who sat out to rest his sore ankle.

Doncic began Monday by donating $500,000 to fire recovery efforts in his new community, making an immediate impression with his pledge to help with the damage caused by the rampant wildfires that devastated parts of Southern California last month — including Pacific Palisades, where Redick's home was lost.

“It's been so sad to see and learn more about the damage from the wildfires as I landed in LA,” Doncic wrote on his Luka Doncic Foundation's social media channels. "I can't believe it, and I feel for all the kids who lost their homes, schools and the places where they used to play with their friends.”

Doncic signed his note: “Your new neighbor.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots as Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) and guard Johnny Juzang defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots as Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) and guard Johnny Juzang defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots as Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots as Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, passes as teammate guard Luka Doncic looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, passes as teammate guard Luka Doncic looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic gestures as he comes back in during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic gestures as he comes back in during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, center, walks onto the court before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, center, walks onto the court before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

A fan wears shirt with number of Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic as he watches him warm up before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

A fan wears shirt with number of Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic as he watches him warm up before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up while wearing the number of guard Luka Doncic while additional T-shirts with Doncic's number are on seats prior to an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up while wearing the number of guard Luka Doncic while additional T-shirts with Doncic's number are on seats prior to an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

T-shirts with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic's number are seen played out on fan seats prior to an NBA basketball game between the Lakers and the Utah Jazz Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

T-shirts with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic's number are seen played out on fan seats prior to an NBA basketball game between the Lakers and the Utah Jazz Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic warms up in front of rows of shirts with his jersey number before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic warms up in front of rows of shirts with his jersey number before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic arrives before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic arrives before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic, left, greets guard Austin Reaves prior to an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic, left, greets guard Austin Reaves prior to an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, left, and Luka Doncic talk during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, left, and Luka Doncic talk during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is introduced before an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is introduced before an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

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