Key Takeaways
• ICE arrested a man near Charlotte East Language Academy on May 13, 2025, alarming parents and staff.
• Multiple ICE arrests in Massachusetts include a Chelsea High student and family members, raising community fears.
• ICE’s policy avoids ‘sensitive locations’ like schools, but arrests near schools create fear and disruption.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests near schools have sparked strong reactions across the United States 🇺🇸, raising questions about the safety and well-being of immigrant families. While there is no confirmed report of an ICE arrest involving a Greenfield man taking his child to school, recent incidents in other cities show a pattern that worries many communities. These events highlight the tension between immigration enforcement and the daily lives of families, especially when children are involved.
ICE Arrests Near Schools: What Happened and Where
In the past year, several high-profile ICE arrests have taken place close to schools. These incidents have drawn attention from parents, school officials, and immigrant rights groups. The main concern is the impact on children and the sense of fear these actions create in neighborhoods.
East Charlotte, North Carolina (May 13, 2025)
On the morning of May 13, 2025, ICE agents detained a man at the intersection of Albemarle Road and Jenkins Drive in east Charlotte. The man was taking his child to Charlotte East Language Academy when he was stopped by ICE, just half a mile from the school. The timing and location of the arrest caused alarm among parents and school staff.
Marilyn Gomez, president of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), witnessed the arrest. She said, “The concern is that this shouldn’t happen so close to a school. As a parent of a child at Charlotte East Language Academy, I am pushing our school board to put out a statement. This is the reality of our community right now.”
The school’s principal sent an email to parents soon after, explaining that the ICE activity happened near the drop-off line. The principal reassured families that “the safety, well-being, and dignity of their students and families is their top priority.” This message aimed to calm fears, but many parents remained worried about the possibility of more ICE arrests during school hours.
Chelsea, Massachusetts (May 15, 2025)
Just two days after the Charlotte incident, a student at Chelsea High School in Massachusetts was detained by ICE. The student had been arrested by local police after a fight at the school. After being taken to the Chelsea police station and fingerprinted, ICE agents detained the student and placed him in federal custody.
Lucy Pineda, who leads the group Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts (LUMA), described the situation: “The young Chelsea student had an argument with other youth, and from there, the school police took him to the police station. Then, the father called us at LUMA to ask us to please help him pick up his son. When we arrived, he was practically in ICE custody.”
This was not the only recent ICE arrest in Chelsea. The week before, ICE agents detained three teenagers at the police station, as well as the father of one of them who had come to pick up his child. These events have left many families in Chelsea feeling anxious about sending their children to school.
Chicago, Illinois (January 29, 2025)
In Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, ICE agents took a man into custody after his wife dropped their child off at school. The arrest happened near 32nd and Kedzie and was captured on video. Alderman Michael Rodriguez of the 22nd Ward said this was the first such detainment he knew of in Little Village. He added, “It created a lot of fear in the morning, and we were rapidly responding to it.”
These incidents are not isolated. They reflect a broader trend of ICE enforcement actions taking place near schools, which many see as “sensitive locations.”
ICE Policy on Sensitive Locations
ICE has a long-standing policy that generally directs agents to avoid enforcement actions at “sensitive locations.” These include:
- Schools (from preschool to university)
- Places of worship (churches, mosques, synagogues)
- Hospitals and medical clinics
- Religious ceremonies (such as weddings and funerals)
- Public demonstrations (like marches or rallies)
The goal of this policy is to avoid causing fear or disruption in places where people should feel safe. However, as these recent cases show, ICE sometimes conducts arrests near—but not directly on—school property. This has led to confusion and fear among families who worry that even the trip to drop off a child to school could result in detention.
For more details on ICE’s sensitive locations policy, you can visit the official ICE Sensitive Locations FAQ.
Community Impact: Fear, Disruption, and Response
The effects of ICE arrests near schools go far beyond the individuals detained. These actions can disrupt entire communities, especially when children witness a parent or classmate being taken away.
Fear and Educational Disruption
Baltazar Enriquez of the Little Village Council in Chicago explained, “Some families have opted out from sending their kids to school, and, you know, taking the children’s right to an education.” When parents fear that taking their child to school could lead to arrest, they may decide to keep their children at home. This disrupts the child’s education and can have long-term effects on their future.
School Preparedness Measures
After a 2017 incident in Los Angeles, where Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez was detained by ICE shortly after dropping off his daughter at school, some schools began taking extra steps to prepare students and families. Ricardo Mireles, executive director of Academia Avance, said teachers were told to discuss family plans with students whose parents might be at risk of detention. He explained, “It’s unfortunate that we have to have minors now deal with reality. You need to be ready. ‘Have you talked to your parents? Do you have power of attorney?’”
This kind of planning is now more common in schools with large immigrant populations. It helps children know what to do if a parent is detained, but it also adds stress and anxiety to their daily lives.
Community Support Networks
In response to these arrests, community leaders and organizations have set up support systems. In Chicago, Alderman Rodriguez said his “rapid response team is ready to support anyone in need.” He provided contact information for the immigration hotline (1-855-435-7693) and his office (773-762-1771). Groups like LUMA in Massachusetts also offer help to families affected by ICE actions.
These networks can provide legal advice, emotional support, and help with practical matters like picking up children from school if a parent is detained.
Recent ICE Enforcement Operations in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has seen a rise in ICE enforcement actions, even though it is often described as a “sanctuary state.” This means that local police and government agencies generally do not help ICE with immigration enforcement. However, ICE can still operate in the state and has made several high-profile arrests.
On May 19, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced that ICE had detained and removed several people from Massachusetts. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “Despite sanctuary politicians and activists trying to disrupt ICE operations, our brave law enforcement removed gang members, drug traffickers, and other violent criminals from Massachusetts’ streets.”
Some of the specific arrests included:
- May 5, 2025: ICE arrested Kleber Lasso, described as an illegal alien from Ecuador who was previously convicted of soliciting to commit murder.
- May 7, 2025: ICE Boston arrested Sergey Ivashkevich, who had an active Interpol Red Notice from Kazakhstan for extortion with threat of violence.
- May 8, 2025: ICE arrested Joshua DeWitte, a former Massachusetts music teacher, on charges related to sexual exploitation of minors.
These cases show that ICE focuses on people with criminal records or outstanding warrants. However, the fear created by ICE activity near schools affects many more people, including those with no criminal history.
National Trends: Increased Enforcement and Political Debate
ICE enforcement has increased under the current administration. Reports indicate that President Trump has pushed for at least 1,800 arrests per day across the United States 🇺🇸. ICE agents say this surge has led to more than 3,000 arrests nationwide in recent months.
This increase in enforcement has sparked debate about the best way to balance public safety with the rights and well-being of immigrant families. Supporters of strict enforcement argue that removing people with criminal records makes communities safer. Critics say that aggressive tactics, especially near schools, create fear and harm children.
The Human Side: Real-Life Examples
The stories behind these arrests show how immigration enforcement affects real people. For example:
- In Charlotte, a father was detained while taking his child to school. The child witnessed the arrest, which could cause lasting emotional harm.
- In Chelsea, a student was detained after a fight at school. His father, trying to help, ended up in ICE custody as well.
- In Chicago, a man was arrested near his child’s school, causing fear among parents and students.
These examples show that ICE arrests near schools do not just affect those detained. They also impact children, classmates, teachers, and entire communities.
What Should Families Do?
If you are worried about ICE activity near your child’s school, here are some steps you can take:
- Know your rights: Everyone in the United States 🇺🇸 has certain rights, regardless of immigration status. You do not have to open your door to ICE agents unless they have a signed warrant. You have the right to remain silent and to speak to a lawyer.
- Make a family plan: Talk to your children about what to do if a parent is detained. Choose a trusted adult who can pick up your child from school if needed. Consider preparing legal documents, such as a power of attorney, so someone can care for your child.
- Stay informed: Follow updates from your child’s school and local community organizations. Many schools now send alerts if ICE activity is reported nearby.
- Reach out for help: Community groups, legal aid organizations, and local officials can provide support. Keep important phone numbers handy, such as the immigration hotline or your local alderman’s office.
For more information on your rights and how to prepare, visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
The Role of Schools and Local Officials
Schools play a key role in supporting students and families affected by ICE actions. Many schools have created policies to protect student privacy and limit cooperation with ICE. Some have trained staff to respond to ICE activity and to help children whose parents are detained.
Local officials, such as city council members and aldermen, often work with schools and community groups to provide resources and support. They may also speak out against ICE actions near schools and push for stronger protections.
Looking Ahead: Policy and Community Action
The debate over ICE arrests near schools is likely to continue. Some lawmakers are calling for stronger rules to keep ICE away from schools and other sensitive locations. Others argue that immigration enforcement should not be limited by location.
In the meantime, communities are organizing to support families and protect children’s right to education. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these efforts include legal clinics, rapid response teams, and public awareness campaigns.
Conclusion: Balancing Enforcement and Family Safety
ICE arrests near schools, whether in Greenfield or other cities, raise important questions about how immigration laws are enforced and how families are affected. While ICE has a policy to avoid sensitive locations, recent incidents show that arrests can still happen close to schools, causing fear and disruption.
Families, schools, and communities are working together to protect children and support those affected by ICE actions. Staying informed, knowing your rights, and building support networks are key steps for anyone concerned about immigration enforcement near schools.
If you or someone you know is affected by an ICE arrest, especially one involving taking a child to school, reach out to local organizations, legal aid groups, or your school for help. The situation is challenging, but you are not alone—many people and resources are available to support you and your family.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency enforcing immigration laws and conducting arrests and removals.
Sensitive Locations → Places like schools, hospitals, and places of worship where ICE enforcement is generally avoided.
Federal Custody → Detention under federal authority, commonly after arrest by immigration or law enforcement agents.
Sanctuary State → A state limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities to protect immigrants.
Power of Attorney → A legal document authorizing someone to act on behalf of another, especially for child care.
This Article in a Nutshell
ICE arrests near schools, like those in Charlotte, Chelsea, and Chicago, stir fear in immigrant communities. Despite policies, enforcement near schools disrupts education and family safety. Communities respond with support networks and legal aid to protect children amid heightened immigration enforcement nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
