Chicago Elementary School Successfully Stops ICE Agents From Entering Building

An elementary school in Chicago successfully prevented U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from entering the building Friday morning, following Chicago Public Schools (CPS) protocols designed to protect students and staff.

Agents arrived at Hamline Elementary School around 11:15 a.m., but were kept outside while school administrators contacted the district's Law Department and Office of Safety and Security, according to CPS officials. The agents were denied entry and were not permitted to speak with students or staff, Fox 32 Chicago reported. Teaching and learning continued without disruption for the remainder of the day.

In a statement, CPS emphasized their commitment to student safety and legal protections under the City of Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance. Under district policy, ICE agents are only allowed access to CPS facilities if they present official credentials, provide a valid reason for their visit, and produce a criminal judicial warrant signed by a federal judge. CPS also confirmed that student records are not shared with ICE unless mandated by a court order or with parental consent.

"CPS has been in communication with our labor partners and community organizations who have worked to inform and support our school communities," the district said in a statement.

As part of their ongoing efforts to support immigrant and newcomer families, CPS is working with the Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) to provide "Know Your Rights" training sessions and workshops. These initiatives aim to equip students and parents with information about their legal rights in the face of federal immigration enforcement actions.

The incident comes amid a nationwide ICE operation under the Trump administration, which has led to over 460 arrests across multiple states, including Illinois. The federal operation primarily targets undocumented immigrants with criminal records, though arrests have been reported in other communities.

CPS has pledged to keep families informed and to provide updates through a dedicated district webpage, ensuring that students and staff are aware of their rights and available resources.