The debate over ICE intensified as a Southern California school district increased security and issued staff scripts designed to keep federal immigration agents off campus. According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, Oceanside Unified School District has taken proactive steps in response to the Trump administration’s renewed immigration enforcement.
The ICE issue escalated after the administration rescinded a long-standing policy that limited Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity at so-called “sensitive locations,” including schools. In response, Oceanside Unified began training front-office staff on how to handle encounters with ICE agents and how to document those interactions.
Jordy Sparks, the district’s executive director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Student Support, said staff members are given clear guidance. “We have a script that basically front office staff can walk through,” Sparks said. The district also requires visitors to be buzzed in and has posted signs identifying restricted areas.
State officials have encouraged districts to update guidance by March 1. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said, “approximately 133,000 undocumented children attend California’s public K-12 schools.” He added, “I know many California teachers and administrators are wondering how best to protect their students amid the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate, callous mass deportation campaign.”
State guidance emphasizes that ICE agents cannot enter non-public areas without proper warrants. “Schoolbuses or other vehicles to transport pupils to school are by their nature non-public,” the guidance states.
Oceanside Unified told Fox News Digital it is “following updated state laws.” Teachers unions nationwide have also urged ICE to stay away from campuses as concerns surrounding schools continue to grow.
