Charleston County Schools Reinforce Student Safety Amid Rising Immigration Fears

(CHARLESTON COUNTY) Charleston County School District leaders move to calm immigration fears as the 2025 school year begins, stressing student safety, clear protocols with ICE, and open communication with families. The district updates its rules, trains staff, and promises regular public meetings to keep parents informed.

What’s new and why it matters now

• As of January 27, 2025, the Charleston County School District updated procedures for any contact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on school grounds. Principals must call the district’s Security & Emergency Management (SEM) Office immediately, and ICE cannot meet with or remove any student without a judicial order. The district says this protects student safety and keeps schools calm and welcoming.

• All children can attend public school regardless of immigration status. The district does not collect or share immigration status information. Leaders repeat this message in public communications to reassure families who worry about school enrollment or attendance.

• In the first half of fiscal year 2025, the district filed no H-1B visa petitions for staff, signaling no changes in hiring tied to immigration status.

Key statements and community response

• Superintendent Anita Huggins: No student can be removed from school property without a court order. Staff will work closely with law enforcement to follow the law while protecting students.

• Trustee Kevin Hollinshead: Calls for stronger partnerships with daycare centers and neighborhood groups to reach parents early.

• Trustee Carolina Jewett: Focuses on outreach to Hispanic families, emphasizing the need to explain rights, procedures, and safety steps in simple, consistent language.

What families need to know today

• School access

  • Every child in Charleston County can enroll and attend school.
  • The district will not ask for proof of immigration status during enrollment.
• Safety steps
  • If ICE or any law enforcement agency arrives, staff will verify credentials, contact SEM, and follow the district’s updated playbook.
  • No student interaction with ICE happens without a judicial order.
• Help at school
  • Families can talk with counselors, social workers, Multilingual Learner Parent Advocates/Educators, or principals.
  • Title I School Parenting Staff are also available to help.
• Pre-K and child development
  • Applications for 2025–2026 opened January 14, 2025.
  • Forms are offered in English and Spanish, and support is available for non-English-speaking families.

How the protocols work on campus

The updated ICE protocols are designed to reduce fear and disruption. If ICE appears on campus, school leaders must:

1. Ask for identification and any judicial order.
2. Call the district’s Security & Emergency Management Office immediately.
3. Decline requests to meet with or remove students without a court order.
4. Keep normal school operations running and protect student privacy.

District officials say these steps help ensure student safety, protect learning time, and prevent rumors from spreading when people see law enforcement near a campus.

Why this policy matters for student achievement

Community leaders report that immigration fears previously kept some students—especially Hispanic children—home, causing absences and lower grades. The district now explicitly ties student safety to learning goals.

By explaining the rules and repeating them in Spanish and English, officials hope families feel safe sending children to school every day. The district is:

• Tracking academic data among Hispanic and immigrant students
• Planning targeted support to close achievement gaps

Community engagement plan

• A special public meeting with parents, faith leaders, and community members was held on February 12, 2025 to address immigration fears and student achievement.
• CCSD committed to hold follow-up sessions every six months.
• Leaders say regular meetings are vital to build trust, correct misinformation, and improve attendance and outcomes.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, districts that provide ongoing outreach and clear protocols often see fewer absences among immigrant families and stronger communication with school staff.

What this means for different groups

• Families
  • You can enroll your children without sharing immigration status.
  • If someone claims to be from ICE at school, staff will follow updated rules and protect students unless a court order is shown.
• Students
  • You have a right to attend public school regardless of immigration status.
  • If you feel worried, speak with a counselor or trusted adult at school.
• Teachers and staff
  • The updated protocols clarify steps during any law enforcement visit, reduce confusion, and support steady classroom time.
• Community partners
  • Faith groups and daycare centers can help spread accurate information and connect families with school resources.

Practical steps for parents and guardians

1. Enrollment: Visit your zoned school or the district website to enroll. You do not need to provide immigration documents.
2. If ICE arrives: Do not rush to the school in panic. Staff will verify credentials and call district security. Without a judicial order, ICE will not meet with or remove any student.
3. Ask for help: Contact your school’s counselor, social worker, or Multilingual Learner Parent Advocate. If unsure whom to call, start with the school’s front office.

Official contacts and where to find help

What counts as a valid order?

The district states only a judicial order can compel the school to allow ICE to remove a student. Families who want more detail can review:

• U.S. Department of Justice resources on how warrants work (difference between administrative requests and judicial warrants)
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security public information on ICE authority and operations

Addressing rumors and fear

Officials urge families to rely on official announcements rather than social media. If you hear about an ICE presence near a school, call your school office for confirmed information.

The district stresses the fastest way to maintain calm is to use official channels and keep student routines steady.

Hiring and immigration status

The district reports no H-1B visa filings in the first two quarters of fiscal year 2025. This suggests no shift in staffing tied to immigration programs. Hiring practices do not affect any student’s right to attend school or receive services.

Looking ahead

• The district will hold public sessions every six months to review progress and listen to families.
• Leaders will continue reviewing safety rules as federal or state policies change.
• Schools will monitor academic performance of Hispanic and immigrant students and create targeted supports where needed.

Takeaways for Charleston County families

• Your child’s right to attend school does not depend on immigration status.
• If ICE comes to a campus, staff will contact SEM and require a judicial order before any student interaction.
• Help is available through counselors, social workers, Multilingual Learner Parent Advocates, and Title I Parenting Staff.
• Stay connected: check the district website and attend public board meetings, typically held on the second and fourth Mondays each month.

The Charleston County School District aims to protect student safety, keep fear out of classrooms, and support steady learning. Clear rules, strong outreach, and steady communication remain at the center of that plan.