A federal judge will hear arguments Friday on whether to stop immigration agents from making arrests in US schools under a controversial policy introduced by the Trump administration.
Although the policy has not yet been enforced, Denver Public Schools has filed a lawsuit seeking to block it nationwide.
The school district argues that the fear of immigration arrests has already caused a drop in student attendance and forced administrators to divert resources toward helping affected families. School officials say they have had to provide additional mental health support, help students catch up on missed classes, and shift focus from academics to immigration concerns.
Previously, immigration officers needed approval before conducting enforcement operations in sensitive locations such as schools and churches. However, a policy change in January allowed field agents to act at their discretion, though a later directive required supervisor approval for school arrests.
Immigration arrests at schools have been rare. Data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shows only two arrests inside schools and 18 near schools between 2018 and 2020. There have been no reported school arrests under the new policy so far.
The federal government argues that Denver schools have not suffered direct harm from the policy and, therefore, lack legal standing to challenge it. A similar case in Maryland recently led to a judge blocking immigration enforcement at Quaker houses of worship, but that ruling only applied to specific religious groups.
US District Judge Daniel Domenico, a Trump appointee, will decide whether to grant a nationwide block on immigration arrests in schools. It is unclear when he will issue his ruling.