Metro Atlanta school districts address ICE policy changes on arrests

ATLANTA - Over the weekend, agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began targeting individuals in the metro Atlanta area and across the country who are in the United States illegally.

Under new federal immigration policies, ICE agents will now be permitted to enter churches and schools to arrest immigrants without the proper documents, marking a significant shift from the policies of the previous administration.

What they're saying:

FOX 5 Atlanta reached out to several school districts to inquire about their policies or guidelines regarding this development. Below are the responses received so far:

Atlanta Public Schools:
"The safety, well-being and educational success of every student enrolled in Atlanta Public Schools is our top priority. In light of recent changes in federal policy around immigration and school protections, we want to reiterate our stance surrounding access to students while they are in school and the rights of students to attend school.  

All children have the Constitutional right to access a K-12 education and receive fair and equitable treatment. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of all students. Atlanta Public Schools is committed to maintaining the privacy and protection of every child in our district, regardless of immigration or citizenship status.  

School and district leadership have been reminded of this position and provided specific guidance on interacting with federal immigration officials should any situations arise. We are committed to supporting each of our students and families and ensuring they experience a safe and welcoming learning environment." 

Cobb County Public Schools:
"Based on the state's reporting guidelines, we do verify residence of students in Cobb County and do not collect or report immigration status of students. We have and will continue to follow the law."

DeKalb County School District:
The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is committed to the safety and success of all students. In line with federal law, DCSD upholds every child's right to a public education, complies with legal requirements, and protects student privacy. To better serve our community, DCSD is awaiting additional guidance on immigration issues from federal and state authorities. Link to letter sent to parents. 

Gwinnett County Public Schools:
"In Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), the safety, security, and well-being of our students are our top priorities. Although the federal government has made changes in the way it will enforce immigration policies, as always, GCPS remains committed to upholding the dignity, rights, and safety of each and every student. We will continue to follow our school safety protocols, state and federal laws, and ensure the proper execution of judicial orders that clearly define who is authorized to contact students during the school day."

The other side:

Michael Urbina/Immigration Attorney Michael Urbina spoke to FOX 5 Atlanta about the ICE policy changes:

"It's the uncertainty, because I think a lot of times people tend to think, ‘Oh, this is not going to happen to me.’ Or, a lot of the talk was that it was only going to be people with criminal histories. But, once we saw the numbers, it really was mostly people not with criminal history, just some past immigration issue," he said. "You have a constitutional right to remain silent unless there's a federal or state warrant which ICE never goes to a house with one of those they can't enter your home."

"Have a plan just in case something happens. Who can pick up your kids from school? Who can keep them until you can sort everything out?" he continued. "I think it's more than anything you know created to set the tone and I don't think this type of scenario is something that is sustainable."

Why you should care:

Even if ICE doesn't arrest and deport children, if they arrest a parent or a family member, it can have a profound impact, according to American Immigration Council.

Health and Mental Health Risks

• Immigration enforcement can profoundly affect a child’s mental health, increasing the likelihood of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Children separated from their parents during raids or deportations often experience toxic stress, which negatively impacts brain development and long-term health.
• Behavioral changes, such as fear, aggression, withdrawal, and eating or sleeping disruptions, are common in children following a parent’s detention or deportation. A 2010 study revealed that children exhibited at least four adverse behavioral changes within six months of a parent’s arrest.

Educational Challenges

• Immigration enforcement disrupts education for children in immigrant communities. Local law enforcement agencies partnering with ICE under 287(g) agreements saw a nearly 10% decline in Hispanic student enrollment within two years as families left these areas.
• Large-scale ICE raids, such as the 2018 raid in Tennessee, caused widespread school absences, with over 500 students missing school the day after the raid.
• Educators report declining academic performance, reduced parental involvement, and increased anxiety among students from immigrant families, as 84% of teachers surveyed noted students’ fears about immigration enforcement at school.

Economic Instability for Families

• The deportation of a parent or household breadwinner can devastate a family’s financial stability, cutting income by 40% to 90%. Families often lose housing and face frequent relocations.
• A 2016 study showed counties with 287(g) agreements experienced significantly higher foreclosure rates among Latino families due to income loss following deportations.
• An analysis of 2018 Census data found that nearly 909,000 households with U.S.-citizen children would fall below the poverty line if their undocumented breadwinners were deported, further exacerbating financial and emotional stress for these families.

By the numbers:

According to the American Immigration Council, the state of Georgia has a large community of immigrants -- 1,174,4000 in 2022. Nearly half of whom are naturalized citizens. 

Of the almost 1.2 million immigrants in Georgia, 50.2% are women, 49.8% are men and there are 78,400 children.

In 2022, there were 347,800 people who were living illegally in the state of Georgia, which was 29.7% of the immigrant population in the state and 3.2% of the overall population of the state. It is unknown how many of those were children. 

RELATED STORIES

• Immigration in Georgia: Key Facts and Figures
• What to do if ICE comes knocking: Metro Atlanta officials give advice
• ICE arrests begin in metro Atlanta, spokesperson says
• ICE raid rumors in Georgia: Are police departments partnering with federal officials to deport migrants?
• Tracking reported migrant ICE raids, arrests: List of states

 This story is developing.  Check back for details. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com.