Long Island Schools Reassure Students Amid ICE Crackdown Fears

(LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK) School districts across Long Island are moving fast to calm fears after reports of masked ICE agents near Brentwood High School and other campuses. Administrators say ICE has not entered school property, and leaders are repeating a clear message: schools are safe places focused on learning, not immigration enforcement. The push comes as President Trump’s renewed enforcement drive has increased ICE activity in New York, raising fresh worry among immigrant families.

Brentwood and other districts told families that staff are trained to protect student records and will not share personal details with immigration authorities without proper legal process. Officials say they’ve seen anxiety rise after at least one parent was detained shortly after dropping off a child at school, an incident that sent shockwaves through parent groups and classrooms.

District actions and legal protections

Districts have issued official communications confirming that ICE agents have not been on school grounds and reminding staff that student information is private. Under New York State Education Department guidance, law enforcement, including ICE, cannot remove or question a student on school property without a parent’s consent except in very limited cases, such as a valid judicial warrant or when a crime occurs on campus.

Schools have been told to call their attorneys before responding to any request for records because federal law (FERPA) generally forbids sharing student records without parental permission. For families seeking official rules, the U.S. Department of Education FERPA guidance explains how schools must protect student privacy.

Classrooms and hallways now feature “Know Your Rights” posters in multiple languages. Teachers and counselors are holding short sessions that explain, in simple terms, what to do if students see ICE near school or if an agent approaches them or their family.

Staff have instructions to alert superintendents and lawyers immediately if ICE appears at or near a school building, so district leaders can take charge.

Community groups, including Islip Forward, are helping track ICE on Long Island. Their volunteers note sightings near schools, share alerts, and connect families to legal help. Some groups are using online tools to map reports in real time.

While these posts can spread quickly, district officials urge families to rely on school messages for what’s happening on campus so rumors don’t keep students home.

Important: Districts emphasize that official school communications (emails, robocalls, website updates) are the reliable source for campus safety information. Social media posts may be inaccurate.

School safety measures and student support

Beyond legal steps, districts are working to restore daily routines. Counselors say fear has led to absences and students showing signs of stress.

In response, schools are:
– Making home visits
– Calling families directly
– Offering walk-in meetings with social workers

Administrators stress that attendance matters and that the school day should not be interrupted by immigration fears. They tell families that students will not be released to immigration authorities from school without a lawful order reviewed by district counsel.

Leaders have denounced enforcement that targets areas around schools. Local officials and school boards say children should not fear separation from their families when they come to class. Several districts emphasize that their duty is to protect school safety, which includes emotional safety for students worried their families could be detained.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, districts that communicate quickly and repeat clear rules are seeing steadier attendance and fewer panic-driven withdrawals. The analysis notes that consistency—same message in English and Spanish and through text, email, and printed letters—builds trust when families are uncertain about what ICE may do.

Practical guidance for families

To help families plan, districts are sharing common-sense steps that respect both immigrant rights and school procedures. Counselors suggest families:

1. Keep emergency contact forms up to date.
2. Talk with children about who is authorized to pick them up.
3. Know where to find district notices and how the school will communicate changes.

Schools stress these steps are routine preparedness measures taken for all families, not only those with immigration concerns.

Advocacy groups say tools that track ICE sightings help families choose safer routes to school and safer after-school job locations. Districts caution that social media reports can be inaccurate and again stress that official district channels should guide decisions about the school day.

Staff protocols for contact with immigration agents

Districts have adopted strict protocols for any contact from immigration agents:

• Do not share student schedules, addresses, or contact information.
• Refer any request for records to the superintendent and district attorney.
• Do not remove a student from class without parental consent and a lawful order reviewed by counsel.
• If agents arrive, direct them to the main office and notify leadership immediately.

These rules are paired with messaging that schools welcome all students, regardless of immigration status. Leaders say this promise is vital to keep kids in class, support learning, and prevent attendance drops that often follow visible enforcement activity.

Legal context and community response

Attorneys working with districts explain that FERPA shields most student records from disclosure without consent, and that school grounds are not open for questioning students about immigration status. Families are also reminded that school staff do not ask for immigration documents during enrollment, as state law requires districts to serve all resident children.

Parents and students report seeing masked ICE agents in nearby neighborhoods during drop-off and dismissal hours. That timing has heightened alarm in communities of color, where many mixed-status families live. Districts are pushing back by repeating that no enforcement actions have taken place on campus and by asking families to report concerning activity so patterns can be documented and addressed with local partners.

Districts also note cooperation with community groups can help stop misinformation that spreads quickly online.

Ongoing priorities and outcomes

While ICE activity on Long Island remains a hot topic, district leaders say their priority is to keep doors open and stress low. They want students to come to class, take exams, and meet with counselors, even as national policy debates continue. The immediate goal is to prevent fear from disrupting learning.

Recent steps taken by districts include:
– Sending clear messages to families
– Repeating staff training in faculty meetings
– Extending counseling hours to meet demand

Administrators say these measures work together: legal clarity reduces confusion, and emotional support helps students return to a normal routine.

For many families, reassurance comes from small but consistent actions—seeing the same faces at the school entrance every morning and hearing the same message from principals: schools are safe places, student records are protected, and children belong in class.

With that consistency, districts hope to steady attendance and keep learning at the center of the school day, even under the pressure of rising enforcement in surrounding neighborhoods.