The potential reality of immigration agents entering schools to arrest people in the country illegally under the Trump administration has left some families afraid to send children to classes — though much remains unknown about how this change will play out in Houston.

The Department of Homeland Security changed guidelines last week to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to arrest people at “sensitive spaces,” including schools, hospitals and churches. Those spaces had been off-limits to immigration agents since 2011.

So far, there’s no evidence to suggest immigration agents are making arrests at Houston schools. But that could change as President Donald Trump’s plans to mass deport immigrants living in the country illegally ramp up.

Here’s what we know about the policy change and what it could mean for Houston-area schools:

Could ICE agents arrest people at Houston schools now that Trump removed a guideline protecting sensitive spaces? 

Yes. 

Agents are allowed under the policy to arrest individuals they believe are in the country illegally if officers have probable cause or a valid warrant for an arrest, according to the National Immigration Law Center. Immigrants can give officers probable cause if they disclose their immigration status to law enforcement or carry documents indicating they’re not in the country legally.

Trump administration officials have suggested they will limit arrests at schools to more-serious offenders, though the guidance does not limit who they can arrest at sensitive locations.  

Prior to last week’s policy change, ICE agents were not allowed to conduct arrests, interviews, searches or surveillance at these locations. If agents planned immigration enforcement at a sensitive location, they needed prior approval from the agency’s headquarters, and the arrest needed to involve stopping terrorism, a national security threat or imminent violence.

Will ICE agents regularly arrest people at Houston schools?

It’s too early to say for sure.

In the first week of Trump’s administration, there have been no confirmed reports by media outlets or school districts of immigration enforcement agents making arrests at Houston-area schools — or schools nationwide, for that matter. (Chicago Public Schools administrators reported Friday that ICE agents visited an elementary school, but they later clarified that it was U.S. Secret Service officials on business unrelated to immigration.)

Still, it could happen in the future. In an interview with ABC News that aired Sunday, Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, said officers should be allowed to decide if there’s a national security or public safety threat when debating whether to arrest someone at a school. As an example, Homan said some members of the MS-13 gang are aged 14 to 17.

“Name another agency, another law enforcement agency, that has those types of requirements that they can’t walk into a school, or a doctor’s office, or a medical campus,” Homan said. “No other agency is held to those standards. These are well-trained officers with a lot of discretion, and when it comes to a sensitive location, there’s still gonna be supervisory review.”

Will school district police officers arrest people on immigration-related charges on campuses?

No.

All of the Houston area’s largest districts have their own police departments, staffed with officers responsible for keeping students safe and making criminal arrests. They are not responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

Does the new guidance change how schools work with students living in the country illegally?

No. 

The new guidance about immigration enforcement at schools doesn’t change the law that says public schools must enroll students, regardless of their immigration status. It also doesn’t require school officials to ask about a student’s immigration status, something they currently don’t do.

How will the new guideline affect Houston-area schools?

After the guideline was rescinded, the Houston Landing reached out to the 10 largest school districts in Greater Houston, including Alief and Spring ISDs, to ask about the recent change and if they’ve been contacted by ICE. Cy-Fair, Fort Bend, Aldine, Klein, Humble, Pasadena and Spring ISDs, as well as Lamar CISD, did not respond to email requests for comment. Katy ISD declined to comment.

HISD: In a letter to community members, Superintendent Mike Miles said the district’s policies related to law enforcement activity on campuses have not changed. 

HISD’s legal services department only provides student information to law enforcement if the department  has verified all required steps and if it doesn’t violate federal privacy protection. Additionally, all staff members and administrators are trained to engage with law enforcement.

Alief ISD: Alief Superintendent Anthony Mays wrote in a letter to community members that the district has been speaking with its legal counsel. The district asked caregivers to update their student’s information, including a working phone number and email for emergency contacts, and update approved individuals who can pick up or drop off their student at school. 

In an email to the Landing on Friday, Alief’s chief of communications and public relations, Kristyn Cathey, said neither DHS nor ICE has contacted the district concerning the immigration policy change. 

Conroe ISD: Conroe ISD Police Department’s role is to keep campuses safe and enforce state and local laws, Executive Director of Communications Sarah Blakelock said.

“While enforcing immigration law is not a primary role for the Conroe ISD Police Department, we have always and will continue to cooperate with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners when requested regarding official investigations and in the pursuit of criminal justice,” Blakelock said.

Angelica Perez is a general assignment reporter for the Landing. Find her @byangelicaperez on Instagram and X, or reach her directly at angelica@houstonlanding.org.