ORLANDO, Fla – Days into his second term, President Donald Trump rescinded a Biden-era policy that protected areas such as schools, churches, and hospitals from immigration enforcement.

The result has been heightened concerns from immigrant and minority communities who are questioning how far the president’s promised enforcement will go and who will be impacted in Florida.

The Florida Department of Education said it will cooperate with federal immigration enforcement on campuses.

News 6 reached out to local school districts to see what policies they have in place or if they plan to create one, and how they plan to deal with the possibility of immigration agents on school grounds.

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You can see the response from each district below:

ORANGE:

News 6 obtained a message from Orange County Public Schools that was shared with staff on Jan. 9. Legal counsel wrote to members of the school board saying, “In light of the promised change in immigration enforcement priorities of the incoming presidential administration, I wanted to provide you with guidance we have previously provided regarding the provision of education services to students regardless of immigration status, along with how the District handles requests for student information, interviews with students by law enforcement, and possible arrest situations.  I am copying our Cabinet, Executive Leaders and Principal Leaders for awareness.”

The email includes a memo that was first shared with staff in August and states the guidelines for any requests made by non-parents or government officials. It explains what staff should do if law enforcement officer, or federal (including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents) or state, shows up on campus asking to interview and/or arrest specific student(s):

• Administrators will confirm the identity of law enforcement by asking for identification, including badges and business cards.

• Administrators will ask the law enforcement officer if the parent can be contacted prior to interview and/or arrest of the student. If law enforcement states parents may be contacted, the administrator will call the parent to see if the parent consents to such interview prior to the interview commencing or if the parent wishes to be present when the student is arrested.

• If the parent consents to the student speaking to the law enforcement officer without a parent or attorney present, the law enforcement officer will proceed. If the parent declines to allow such interview, the administrator will inform the law enforcement officer that the parent does not want the student interviewed.

• If law enforcement states that parents may not be contacted, the administrator will tell law enforcement that all questions from the parent will be referred to the law enforcement official. The law enforcement official will be asked to fill out the Parental Non-Notification Form for Official Investigations linked in the Guidelines document attached to this email.

• In the event law enforcement states the parent may not be contacted, the administrator should ask if he or she may remain with the student during questioning. If the law enforcement officer states the administrator may not remain, the administrator should vacate the room and allow questioning by the law enforcement official.

• If an administrator informs the parent of an interview after being told not to do so by law enforcement, if the administrator refuses to leave the room when directed by law enforcement, or if the administrator interferes with the arrest of a student by law enforcement, the administrator may be subject to arrest on charges of tampering with a law enforcement investigation or obstructing a law enforcement official.

• If a student is arrested, the parent should be notified immediately after the arrest and provided the contact information of the law enforcement official and agency.

A spokesperson for the district noted that OCPS does not ask for or collect documentation related to citizenship.

SEMINOLE:

A spokesperson with Seminole County Public Schools says there is no policy for this specific situation, however staff will comply with the law. That includes any requirements for parental notification and any court orders provided by law enforcement officers.

OSCEOLA:

A memo from general counsel was sent to principals, the superintendent, and other administrators on Jan. 13 that includes the district’s policy.

It states “the school district shall not interfere with law enforcement actions and must comply with lawfully issued warrants and subpoenas. Schools should request review of warrants and subpoenas through the General Counsel’s office.”

It also promised to share additional guidance as necessary following a special session of the Florida legislature where the Trump Administration’s deportation program will be discussed.

MARION:

A spokesperson for Marion County Public Schools said they do not track undocumented families and their staff will “educate every student who comes through our doors.”

They said will “obey the law and work with law enforcement agencies as needed.”

BREVARD:

A spokesperson with Brevard Public Schools shared the following statement that the district “is aware of changes at the national level in regards to immigration. We are currently awaiting on a response from NEOLA with direction on a potential policy recommendation for future discussion.”

FLAGLER:

A representative for Flagler Schools said they have procedures in place “for anyone wishing to come and visit with/speak with a student” and “it’s not for anyone or group in particular.”

VOLUSIA:

“Our top priority every day is the physical and mental wellbeing of our students and staff. VCS is dedicated to complying with federal and state policies while also maintaining a safe learning environment,” said Sarah Lux, Spokesperson for Volusia County Schools. “We are working to develop a comprehensive guide to help our staff ensure our campuses remain a place in which students feel safe and secure.”

“It is very unsettling that our children may be subject to these types of disturbing displays in a place that they should feel the safest, which is their school,” said Communications Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition Adriana Rivera,

FIC said the policy shift will have consequences for families across the state.

“We’ve had people of course tell us that they are worried,” said Rivera. “We’ve had a lot of U.S. citizens that are from minority groups, a lot of Latinos, AAPI community, telling us that they’re scared to be racially profiled because we have seen already reports of U.S. citizens being wrapped up in raids.

Rivera says it amplifies the fear parents have who are questioning what to tell their children.

“I actually had this conversation with my 11-year-old yesterday,” said Rivera. “Basically, I went through a script with him of what he needs to say, which is ‘I will not speak to you without my parents or my lawyer present. It is my 5th Amendment right.’”

Rivera said it is important for people to know their rights and know what lawfully issued warrants and subpoenas look like. She urged people to stay informed.

“Everybody needs to be careful,” said Rivera. “Carry your identification with you, carry a passport with you or a copy of it if you can, and I do hope everybody remembers the humanity, that we are all humans.”

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