On January 21, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lifted the practice of avoiding immigration enforcement at locations where students gather. In fact, according to DHS, schools are no longer off limits for immigration enforcement operations since elementary and secondary schools, colleges, hospitals, and churches will no longer be considered “sensitive” areas, which used to compel agents from conducting raids in those facilities. Protected areas also included places where children, teens and young adults gather, such as playgrounds, recreation centers, child care centers, school bus stops, vocational or trade schools, and preschools.

A statement from the DHS says that “[c]riminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”

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