A Texas school district warns parents about potential Border Patrol checks on school buses, raising concerns about student safety and immigration enforcement.
At a Glance
- Alice Independent School District alerts parents to possible Border Patrol checks on school buses
- Citizenship checks may occur during extracurricular activities at highway checkpoints
- Students without proper documentation could face detention or deportation
- The district is considering implementing safety measures, including chaperone vehicles
- Recent policy changes allow increased immigration enforcement in previously protected areas
Texas School District Issues Warning to Parents
Alice Independent School District in Texas has taken the unusual step of warning parents about the possibility of Border Patrol agents boarding school buses and conducting citizenship checks on students. The district’s Superintendent, Anysia Trevino, sent a letter to parents highlighting the potential consequences for students without proper documentation during extracurricular activities.
The warning specifically pertains to potential checks for legal citizenship on buses used for activities outside the school premises. Students without proper documentation may face detention or deportation, and providing false information about citizenship could impact future eligibility for U.S. citizenship.
New: The Alice Independent School District in South Texas warned parents in a letter Wednesday that U.S. Border Patrol agents may be checking the immigration status of students on school buses traveling for extracurricular activities. https://t.co/VQVF3bG7J9
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) February 6, 2025
District Considers Safety Measures
To address these concerns and ensure student safety, the Alice Independent School District is contemplating additional measures. One proposed solution is to employ a chaperone vehicle to accompany the buses, providing support and advocacy if any student encounters issues during Border Patrol checks.
The move comes in response to broader policy changes that now permit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol operations at locations previously considered off-limits, including schools.
Broader Policy Changes and Their Impact
Recent policy changes by the Department of Homeland Security have expanded the scope of immigration enforcement. The new directives rescind previous guidelines that limited ICE arrests at sensitive locations such as schools, churches, and public events. This shift allows law enforcement to enforce immigration laws more broadly, raising concerns among educators and parents.
Other school districts in Texas have also addressed these changes. West Oso Independent School District, for instance, has emphasized its commitment to welcoming all students regardless of citizenship status. These notifications and policy reminders reflect the growing awareness and concern about immigration enforcement’s potential impact on educational institutions.
