Portland district condemns ICE tactics after parent detained; district moves to quash DOJ subpoena for student athlete records
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Summary
District leaders said unidentified agents in unmarked vehicles — later identified as ICE — detained a parent near a school access road and the district has joined legal action to protect student information after the Department of Justice sought private student athlete records from the Maine Principals Association.
Portland — At its Sept. 30 meeting the Portland Board of Public Education discussed two outside legal matters involving student rights and family safety: the district reported that an unidentified law‑enforcement action near a school involved Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the district said it had moved to quash a Department of Justice subpoena seeking student athlete information.
Board Chair reported that on Sept. 11 at about 8 a.m. "unidentified law enforcement agents in unmarked vehicles detained a parent after they dropped their child off for school on a school access road." The chair said the agents were later identified as representing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and that district leaders worked with city councilors on a city resolution condemning recent ICE tactics and directing the city’s Health and Human Services and Public Safety Committee to coordinate with the district.
In a separate matter the board heard that the Department of Justice — as part of an ongoing civil lawsuit concerning Title IX and the Maine Department of Education — had subpoenaed student athlete information from the Maine Principals Association. The superintendent said Portland Public Schools "has filed a motion within this case to quash this request," stating the district's commitment to protecting students' information.
District leaders encouraged families to consult the ACLU of Maine and the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (referred to in community materials as ILAP) for resources on rights and legal support and suggested community members consider supporting local immigrant legal aid organizations and the Foundation for Portland Public Schools.
The board did not take further formal action at the meeting beyond public statements and coordinating with city officials on the ICE incident and confirming the district's legal filing concerning the subpoena. The superintendent and board urged vigilance and community support for affected families.