ICE school arrests, Milwaukee student safety concerns

MILWAUKEE - Now that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are able to make arrests on school grounds, student safety is a lingering concern for some in Wisconsin.

Trump executive orders

The backstory:

The concerns arose as President Donald Trump released a number of executive orders, one of which allows ICE officials to enter schools and make arrests.

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Darryl Morin with Forward Latino said schools are already seeing the impact.

"Over the last week, we've been receiving a lot of calls from leaders of school districts – and not just public schools but private schools and charter schools – very concerned with the safety and well-being of their students," he said.

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Wisconsin schools

Local perspective:

FOX6 News reached out to Milwaukee Public Schools and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to find out how they are responding. In a statement, State Superintendent Jill Underly said:

"All students, no matter their immigration status, have a right to receive a quality public education. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive without fear or discrimination."

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The Wisconsin DPI website also states schools may not turn over personal information to police, federal agents and, in this case, immigration officials, without written consent from parents, caregivers or a subpoena. Also, schools are not required to comply with ICE without a judicial warrant.

"I hope their staff can continue to protect the kids," said parent Emily Lopez.

MPS has a "safe haven" resolution that outlines steps the school district will take to assure students and families that any actions that might be taken by immigration officials on school grounds will be opposed by all legal means available. 

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)

What they're saying:

Lopez's kids attend private schools in Milwaukee. And while she and her kids are U.S. citizens, they're still worried about what could happen. 

"They'll be terrified, I'm pretty sure," she said. "If they see cops going in there getting their 6-year-old friend, they're going to be scared."

It's a conversation Lopez didn't think she'd have with her children.

"They're well aware of it. However, there is nothing that they can do about it," she said. "If they were to encounter a situation like that, then that would be unfortunate."