The Iowa City Community School District on Aug. 12 told its board that principals should verify credentials, request warrants or subpoenas, notify district central office and legal counsel, and avoid physical confrontations if Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up at school buildings.
Jake, a staff member who led the presentation, said, "we do have some protocols in place should ice appear to our buildings," and described steps that administrators should take, including asking officers to wait while the district seeks guidance.
The district emphasized the goal of following the law while protecting students and staff. Chase, the district's deputy superintendent, told directors the district has asked principals to check IDs and ask to see a warrant or subpoena, then call central office for legal guidance; he said the district does not want principals to be defiant but also does not want them to place themselves or others in a confrontation.
Board members pressed district leaders on whether the district had experienced on-site ICE enforcement that refused to follow the protocol. Chase and Jake said there were no known ICE actions on district campuses to their knowledge.
Officials described prior examples from other states in which outside enforcement actions affected families and highlighted steps the district has taken to prepare principals and families for off-campus enforcement that can affect students at school. Jake said the district also has encouraged families to update contact information in Infinite Campus so staff can reach guardians quickly in case of off-campus incidents.
Directors asked what would happen if an ICE agent insisted the administrative paperwork they presented was valid and the agent insisted on immediate access. Chase and Jake said the district would not order staff to physically block an agent, but would call district legal counsel and respond on-site; the district expects it may have limited ability to affect law enforcement actions.
The presentation closed with district leaders saying they have provided building administrators with reminders and resources for supporting students and families if enforcement actions occur off campus, and that they will continue to review and refine protocols with legal counsel.
The board did not take formal action on ICE protocols at the meeting; the presentation was informational.