Fearing they were from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, school officials refused admission to federal agents who requested to search an elementary school in Chicago on Friday morning. However, it came out that they were investigating operatives from the US Secret Service.
Bogdana Chkoumbova, the chief education officer for Chicago Public Schools, said the agents tried to enter Hamline Elementary School at approximately 11:15 a.m.
ICE refuted the first claim made by school authorities that the agents were from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Secret Service operatives that visited the school were eventually identified by the district.
A representative for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement informed CNN on Friday afternoon that this was not an encounter with the agency.
The Department of Homeland Security, the government organization that manages both the Secret Service and ICE, provided identification to two agents who showed up at the school. According to a district representative who talked to CNN, school authorities believed the agents were from ICE because of rumors and reports that the agency was in the area.
A CPS representative told CNN on Friday night that administrators adhered to the established procedures to guarantee student safety, regardless of whether Homeland Security division visited this school. The agents were not permitted to enter the school or communicate with pupils or personnel.
CNN reports that on Friday morning, the US Secret Service went to the Chicago primary school to look into a possible threat to a protectee. As is typical in these kinds of investigations, the agency refused to reveal the identity of the protectee.
A representative for the Secret Service told CNN that a threat against a federal official we guard was being looked into by the agency’s Chicago branch.
According to police officer Anthony Guglielmi, agents visited a home in the neighborhood before stopping by Hamline Elementary School as part of their investigation.
The principal of the school was presented with business cards containing the agents’ contact details. The agents left without a hitch. The Secret Service does not look into or enforce immigration rules, but it does look into any threats against the people it protects.
Following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration and his suggestion that Chicago would be the target of enforcement measures, school officials were on edge as they braced for potential run-ins with ICE officers.
A CPS representative said, “Our initial communication was the consequence of a misunderstanding, reflecting the fear and concerns in the community amid the new administration’s focus on undocumented immigrants.”
Earlier this week, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman said that federal immigration officials will be permitted to make arrests and conduct enforcement activities in and around locations such as schools and churches, altering the long-standing practice of avoiding so-called sensitive areas.
It will no longer be possible for criminals to hide in American churches and schools and escape punishment. According to the statement, the Trump administration believes that our courageous law enforcement personnel will exercise common sense and will not be restrained.
A rule that forbids agents from conducting arrests in sensitive places was put into effect by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2011. Similar advice was released by the Biden administration.
Advocates for immigrants have voiced concerns over the policy’s repeal, claiming that it will create terror in immigrant communities, stopping individuals from obtaining medical attention and children from going to school.
Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller responded to news that ICE visited an elementary school on Friday by telling Fox News that there is no refuge for criminal aliens in our nation, nor is there a sanctuary for child trafficking, child smuggling, or child endangerment.
“In order to protect the safety and security of children across America, federal law enforcement has unrestricted access to conduct basic investigations,” Miller said. “ICE officers will take the necessary actions to protect the lives and safety of our children and to identify individuals who are involved in the smuggling and trafficking of our children.”
Officials from the school had already described their stance and their response to Friday’s tragedy.
At a press conference on Friday afternoon, Hamline Principal Natasha Ortega stated, “We are here to protect our children and make sure they have access to an excellent education. We will not open our doors to ICE.”
Chkoumbova underlined the district’s dedication to safeguarding families and students in accordance with Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance and the Illinois Trust Act. According to her, the district doesn’t ask ICE for or provide family immigration status.
Chkoumbova stated that ICE officers must have a criminal judicial warrant authorized by a federal judge in order for the district to permit them to enter schools. Administrative warrants or detainers will not be used to grant access.
Source
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.