Chicago, as a sanctuary city, has long been a welcoming place for immigrants. And Chicago Public Schools has made this message a core part of its mission. President-elect Donald Trump’s promise for the largest deportation operation in United States history — has sent a ripple of worry across communities. It has the potential to disrupt daily routines like going to school or work. Some undocumented parents and children worry raids or targeted arrests by federal immigration agents might target schools. They worry one member of a family might get picked up by ICE while commuting. Protections in place Ahead of Trump’s inauguration Monday, CPS has acknowledged that many of its parents and students are facing this fear. The district has stressed that it already has protections in place, reaffirmed in a resolution by the school board last year. “Our goal is to ensure that all CPS schools remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming educational environments that embrace and celebrate everyone in our diverse school communities,” the district wrote in an email to parents Friday. The Chicago Teachers Union has hosted “sanctuary trainings” for its members and has several protective measures in its proposals for a new teachers contract that would protect undocumented students. CPS is working to provide guidance to teachers, too. Trump’s promises are uncharted territory, and district officials said they are preparing by telling people what to do if they are confronted by a police officer or an immigration agent. Can ICE agents enter schools? All students, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to a public education. CPS does not ask for immigration status or coordinate with ICE agents. Under federal policy, ICE is prohibited from carrying out enforcement actions at schools (known as “sensitive locations”). The school board’s November 2024 resolution also prohibited schools from assisting ICE in immigration enforcement. Therefore, ICE agents are not allowed into Chicago Public Schools unless they have a criminal warrant. Schools are designated “protected areas,” according to ICE’s website. “When determining if a location is a protected area, (the Department of Homeland Security) considers the activities that take place there, the importance of those activities … and the impact an enforcement action would have on people’s willingness to be in the protected area and receive or engage in the essential services or activities that occur there,” the website states. CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said the district has three dedicated lawyers to review any order someone may bring to a school. “We’re being very clear about our protocol,” he said. Preparing for any and all situations Still, the district is preparing for any and all situations that may affect its student body. It is leveraging every resource it can and working with the city of Chicago and the Police Department. CPS recently launched a section on its website with an overview of immigration rights as they apply to schools and a list of local trainings and legal resources. District leaders plan to update it frequently, and to continue to communicate directly with school leaders, staff members and parents to ensure they know how to respond to any federal policy changes. In the meantime, CPS is encouraging families to have emergency contact information on hand and is working to make sure families have contingency plans for guardianship in the case that a student’s parents are arrested, deported or detained. The district is not considering remote learning options because no student should stay at home, Martinez said. Its goal is to create an environment where students feel safe and focused on their learning. CPS schools have mental health resources available for students who may be concerned or anxious. There are school counselors and behavioral health teams at every school, district officials said. Resources The Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights has created a list of dozens of local nonprofit agencies providing free or low-cost assistance with immigration matters. CPS will schedule continuous and weekly trainings and workshops, updated on its website. For example, there is a weekly training on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. hosted by Enlace Chicago through the CPS Network 7 Pilsen/Little Village Parent University at 2001 S. Throop St. For more information and registration, please contact 773-379-5669. These sessions will be in Spanish. CPS has also created resources for students from mixed-status families and for undocumented students who are completing federal and state financial aid applications for college. Letter to Guardians and Students Regarding Financial Aid – Translations Available Here 2025-26 Financial Aid Process Key Questions – Translations Available Here Post-Election Support for Immigrant Youth and Families in Illinois