by Maya McFadden The New Haven independent
If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers attempt to enter New Haven schools, the school district will require them to present a warrant — which will then be reviewed by a legal team and the superintendent’s office.
Then, the district will notify guardians if a warrant specifically mentions their child.
Supt. Madeline Negrón notified New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) parents of that immigration-related update in an email Tuesday afternoon.
Reached for comment Wednesday, district spokesperson Justin Harmon told the Independent that the district has not been aware of any students or staff coming in contact with ICE since President Trump entered office on Jan. 20.
The email came after Gov. Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker issued state guidance to K‑12 schools on Tuesday for protecting students when it comes to immigration enforcement activities. It also comes a month after the city and school district presented at a town hall plans for the anticipated immigration policies of President Donald Trump.
The two-page notice informs parents of the district’s response plan if “non-local law enforcement,” including ICE, attempt to access school buildings.
ICE “may only obtain access to school facilities, students in school, or student records with a proper warrant or subpoena.”
If a warrant is presented, the notice further explains that school staff will present the documentation to the Office of the Superintendent and legal counsel for review, in order to “determine if school staff is legally required to allow ICE to enter the building.”
The district will contact a parent or guardian immediately if a specific student is named in the warrant, to advise them of the situation.
If an ICE officer does not have a proper warrant, staff will refuse access to the building. But if the officer fails to comply, staff “will not physically attempt to interfere with an enforcement action.” Staff are encouraged to obtain as much information from the ICE officer as possible and notify the district’s executive team, including the security chief.
The notice concluded that if a warrant requests student records, the district will not provide ICE officers with a student’s or family’s immigration status — “because the district does not collect or store such information.”
Spokesperson Harmon added that some of those policy elements were formed in accordance with the city’s Welcoming City order a few years ago. “We had discussions with the city to review and update those policies pending the most recent transition in administration.”
Read the full state immigration guidance here. And see below for Negrón’s full letter to parents and guardians.