Several families and students are concerned about the possibility of raids conducted by immigration and customs agents in schools. A new resolution recently prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from entering campuses to search for undocumented students.

According to Latina, immigration agents are no longer allowed to enter the premises of the Los Angeles Unified School District after the school board voted unanimously. The board resolution will require an ICE official to have their request cleared by the superintendent and lawyers of the school district before being allowed access.

An article on the Los Angeles Times stated that the resolution also provides the superintendent with 90 days to come up with a plan to offer resources and information regarding undocumented families and students. The plan would include a quick response network to help children whose family members have been detained. A procedure would be followed for students who are attending school while a parent is being deported or if there is no person who will take the student to and from campus.

In January 2016, agents conducted several raids, targeting undocumented individuals from Central America. Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for ICE, told the Los Angeles Times that students are not at risk of being targeted while attending school since schools and churches are deemed by the agency to be sensitive locations. However, families are still cautious about sending their children to school.

L.A. Unified follows other counties and districts around the country. The San Francisco Unified School District also issued a statement to remind families that ICE officials are not allowed to enter school premises without going through a review process first. The SFUSD stated that it is a sanctuary, similar to the City of San Francisco, so they do not ask students or families about their immigration status. In Montgomery County, Maryland, county leaders stated that they will not cooperate with the Obama administration’s deportation activities.

Aside from looking for ways to attend to children if their parents should be deported, schools should also train teachers and staff to educate parents about their immigrant rights because the home environment of children can significantly affect their performance in school. It can be very stressful for children and families to constantly worry about deportation and access to resources. Board members were also asking about the limits of schools offering protection to immigrants.

More updates and details on the ban on ICE agents in schools are expected soon.