From Safe Zones to Uncertainty: State Responses to the Federal Rollback of Sensitive Location Protections in Schools
From Safe Zones to Uncertainty: State Responses to the Federal Rollback of Sensitive Location Protections in Schools
By Daniel Hieu Thuan Bui, Kristina Lovato, Carola Suárez-OrozcoEnglish PDF
For over 30 years, federal policy limited immigration enforcement in schools, protecting student safety and educational access. In January 2025, these protections were rescinded, giving immigration officers broad discretion to conduct enforcement in and around schools. This policy brief provides the first comprehensive analysis of how all 50 states and DC have responded. Findings reveal that half of states offer no guidance for schools, and only a handful—such as California, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington, and DC—provide comprehensive protocols and resources for families. The brief highlights the urgent need for clear, trauma-informed, and accessible state and local guidance to ensure all students can learn in safe environments, regardless of immigration status.
For media outreach about the brief, please contact:
immigrationinitiative@harvard.edu
