CHICAGO – After Chicago Public Schools (CPS) initially claimed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents visited a South Side elementary school Friday morning, it was later confirmed that this was not the case.
Instead, U.S. Secret Service agents were investigating a threat linked to the TikTok ban.
False Alarm of ICE Raid at Chicago School
What Happened?:
The Secret Service was responding to a threat originating from a home in the Back of the Yards neighborhood near Hamline Elementary School.
The threat was against someone “the Secret Service protects” but further details haven’t been released.
No one was present at the home, so agents went to the school around 11:15 a.m. They were not allowed inside and left business cards with staff.
CPS officials said staff initially believed the agents were from ICE.
Following protocol, school personnel contacted the district’s Law Department and Office of Safety and Security while keeping the agents outside.
The agents did not speak with students or staff, and teaching continued uninterrupted.
ICE Responds :
FOX 32 Chicago reached out to ICE, which confirmed that the incident did not involve their agents.
A spokesperson stated, “This was not a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement encounter” and directed inquiries to local law enforcement.
The Chicago Police Department reported receiving no calls for service at the location.
CPS Addresses Concerns:
“CPS has been in communication with our labor partners and community organizations who have worked to inform and support our school communities,” CPS said in part.
The district has also provided principals and staff with guidance on students’ rights and protections related to ICE visits.
Under the City of Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance, ICE agents are barred from accessing CPS facilities without proper credentials, a valid purpose, and a criminal judicial warrant signed by a federal judge, according to CPS officials.
A judicial warrant is also required for ICE to search school property or seize records.
For more information on CPS’ guidance and resources, follow this link.
Local Reaction:
“The attempted ICE raid on Hamline Elementary in Chicago today is an attack on not just Chicago’s immigrant community, but our entire city. Chicago is a city of immigrants. I am proud of the way workers and CPS stood firm to defend their students and staff from harassment. We will not be bullied. We know our rights and will continue to make sure our community knows how to exercise their legal rights,” said President of the Chicago Federation of Labor Bob Reiter.
“Our schools must remain a safe haven where children, families, and staff can come and go without fear of intimidation from ICE. These places of learning often serve as a second home to students, and they should never become grounds for anxiety or distress, especially for our children.
“I am grateful that our school personnel are trained and prepared to handle these situations. We will keep educating our community and working together to ensure everyone knows their rights and knows how to navigate potential interactions with immigration officials.
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“Chicago and Illinois have led the nation with laws that welcome and protect immigrants, and prohibit coordination with ICE. We will continue to defend our diverse immigrant communities against Trump’s anti-immigrant harassment attempts,” said Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García.
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“There is absolutely no reason that ICE should attempt to enter elementary schools. To send federal agents to a school is traumatizing for ALL children. Schools are places where children can learn, grow, and build a community. When ICE arrives, a child does not know if they are there for them, a friend, or a trusted adult. It is sickening, unnecessary, and harmful to any child who attends a school where ICE shows up. Shame on Donald Trump for putting children in harm’s way,” said Congressman Sean Casten.
National Context :
This incident follows ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in schools.
Under the Trump administration, ICE conducted nationwide operations that resulted in more than 460 arrests, including in Illinois. These operations targeted undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
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