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Public commenter urges Hobbs schools to bar ICE activity near campuses
Summary
During public comment at the Hobbs Municipal Schools Board meeting, an audience member asked the district to make a public commitment that Immigration and Customs Enforcement not operate in or around district schools and to publicize current protocols for parents and students.
A community member asked Hobbs Municipal Schools officials on Feb. 25 to publicly commit that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will not operate in or around the district’s campuses and to share the district’s protocols with parents and students.
The commenter, who addressed the board during the public comment period and did not give a full name on the record, told the board: "ICE has no place in public schools." The speaker said the presence of agents around schools causes fear and discourages parental involvement, and urged the district to "make a public comment" and use district communications — including the district app — to inform families about the district’s protocols and where to get help.
The public commenter referenced incidents in other communities and described concerns about access to contracted buses that do not display school logos. They said they had previously discussed the issue with Hobbs High School staff and were reassured that staff would protect students, but said contracted bus drivers and charter buses create a vulnerability.
Superintendent Strickland and school staff were asked to collect the commenter’s contact information for follow-up. Board members noted that Open Meetings Act rules limit board discussion during public comments, and the board’s administration said it would follow up with the speaker.
The speaker framed the request as both a policy and moral issue and asked for explicit district-level statements and clearer messaging so families who fear enforcement activity can know how schools would respond.
No formal action or policy vote was taken at the meeting. The board’s administration indicated it would follow up with the speaker to share contact information and pursue additional conversation outside the public comment period.
