Federal judge to hear arguments over whether to block immigration arrests in US schools
Share and Follow


DENVER (AP) — A federal judge is set to hear arguments Friday over whether he should block immigration agents from conducting arrests at schools under a Trump administration policy that has yet to be acted upon.

Denver Public Schools is asking U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico to block immigration enforcement in schools across the country while its lawsuit challenging the new policy plays out in court.

The suit says the possibility of routine immigration arrests in its schools has led to a drop in attendance. It also says the district has had to divert resources to respond to fear among students and families over the lifting of longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement near schools, churches and other sensitive locations.

“This includes providing mental health support to students, diverting administrator attention from academics to immigration issues, and assisting students who miss school to catch up,” lawyers for the school district said in their request to block the new policy.

Under the previous “sensitive locations” guidance, officers were generally required to get approval for any enforcement operations at those locations, although exceptions were allowed for matters like national security. The policy change announced in January by the acting leader of the Department of Homeland Security, which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement, emphasized that field agents should use “common sense” and “discretion” to conduct immigration enforcement operations without a supervisor’s approval.

The head of ICE later issued a directive that immigration arrests at sensitive places like schools had to be approved by supervisors, lawyers for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a court filing.

Such arrests have been rare. According to data from ICE cited by lawyers for Denver schools, there were only two immigration arrests made in schools between 2018 and 2020 along with 18 arrests near schools.

There have not been any arrests at schools under the new policy as of last week, according to a filing submitted by the Council of the Great City Schools in support of Denver’s lawsuit last week.

The federal government says Denver schools haven’t proved they’ve been directly harmed by the policy change and do not have legal standing to pursue a lawsuit.

Last month, a federal judge in Maryland blocked immigration agents from conducting enforcement operations in houses of worship for Quakers and a handful of other religious groups after they filed a lawsuit challenging the directive. The order does not apply to any religious groups beyond the ones who brought the lawsuit.

It’s not known how soon Domenico, a Trump appointee and Colorado’s former solicitor general, could rule.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Best White House Christmas decorator revealed by Daily Mail Poll

Daily Mail Poll Unveils Top White House Christmas Decorator for 2023

A recent survey has highlighted which former US First Lady of the…
New details on Hunter Biden's behavior at a sex club revealed by owner

Club Owner Discloses New Insights into Hunter Biden’s Conduct at Private Venue

Damon Lawner paints a vivid picture of Hunter Biden’s visit to an…
Trump deploys troops and special ops aircraft to Caribbean

Trump Mobilizes Troops and Special Ops Aircraft to Caribbean: Strategic Military Move Unfolds

In a significant military move, the United States has dispatched a substantial…
Jet crash carrying Libya’s top general triggers airspace shutdown over NATO capital

Libya’s Top General’s Fatal Jet Crash Sparks NATO Capital Airspace Shutdown

On Tuesday night, Turkey temporarily closed the airspace above its capital following…
Nickelodeon vet checks into hotel room with the help of ex-costar

Reunion Alert: Ex-Nickelodeon Stars Team Up for Heartwarming Hotel Check-In Adventure!

In a heartwarming twist of fate, former Nickelodeon actor Tylor Chase, recently…
Repeat offender allegedly kills Ohio man just days after nonprofit pays his bail

Family’s Plea Ignored: Nonprofit Releases Repeat Offender Who Allegedly Commits Murder Days Later

The Bail Project calls family of repeat offender In a tragic turn…
Gwen Stefani, Lady A, Iam Tongi to perform on 'Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade' airing Christmas morning

Star-Studded Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade: Gwen Stefani, Lady A, and Iam Tongi Set to Dazzle on Christmas Morning

Disney is set to add a touch of enchantment to your Christmas…
Galveston Police officers watch the water on Galveston Bay west of the Galveston causeway, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, near Galveston, Texas, as emergency personnel search for a small airplane that went down in the bay in heavy fog. (Jennifer Reynolds/The Galveston County Daily News via AP)

Mexican Navy Plane Loses Contact Before Crashing in Texas

Communication with a small Mexican Navy aircraft, which was transporting a young…