Immigration and Deportation, Information for NAPT Members

• By: admin
• On: 02/06/2025 16:40:12
• In: Federal Updates

Immigration and Deportation, Information for NAPT Members 

Shortly after his inauguration, President Trump issued orders related to securing the borders and handling of immigrants he believes are in the country illegally. New directives were issued related to apprehending such immigrants and potentially deporting them to their home countries or other locations.

One of the changes that occurred was to remove the general restriction placed on ICE and other officials from going into ‘sensitive areas' that included hospitals, schools and places of worship. While it was not explicitly stated that ICE should go or would go into such areas, the guidance that has avoided such appearances was removed, thereby making it more likely to occur.
 
See AASA webpage for further context, resources, and legal framing. This is an excellent and very thorough review and source of information.

New Information:

We have been following this issue closely with an eye specifically on the question of what would happen in a school bus or school bus stop setting. The bus itself is a part of school property in most states, but the bus stop is not universally defined as a part of the school. Accordingly, this makes the situation different in each state and community.

A recent news item reports that one district in Texas has warned parents that it is possible that ICE agents would be boarding school buses to apprehend individuals targeted for deportation.

That story gave us pause to consider what information and guidance we could offer our members.

Suggested Response:

We would offer thoughts on how to ensure student safety, driver confidence and compliance with the law:

• Transportation leaders should consult closely with their school leadership and attorneys on what the school posture and policies are in such matters…and then plan to abide by those policies in their operations. Transportation supervisors do not make those policies, and we may sometimes differ with them. But our jobs include upholding official school policy and practice.
• Provide school bus drivers with information about the issues and about the school district policies that will be enforced at all times. It is important for them to have such information as school employees and professional drivers.
• Provide school bus drivers with training you believe will assist them in doing their jobs to keep their riders safe. Of course, this will need to be consistent with school district policies. The training could include a recitation of school policy and a step-by-step approach to handling the appearance of ICE and how they should address such an event. This might include how to contact the transportation office or the superintendent to report the event and seek guidance. (Note the detailed steps in the above AASA link on managing ICE approaches in a building setting as it may give ideas for training and practices.)
• If your transportation is offered through private school bus contractors, they need to know school district policies and should be afforded access to any training that you develop for drivers on this matter.
• Similarly, your transportation team (dispatchers, aides, trainers, technicians) should be given this information and training because they are a big part of the effort and can be supportive to your drivers as needed.

These are changing and often challenging times for all in the education arena. Information and awareness are critical, especially to our drivers who are out in the community transporting a bus filled with our children.

Questions? Contact Peter Mannella, NAPT® Public Policy Consultant