In a “Client Alert” sent out the day after President Donald Trump was sworn into office, a progressive Maine law firm told public school officials about steps they can take to resist the Trump administration’s deportation efforts, including destroying student records that may expose immigration status.
The advisory email from the Portland-based Drummond Woodsum law firm, obtained by the Maine Wire, stated, “The Trump administration has pledged to conduct large-scale immigration enforcement actions targeting undocumented immigrants, which may have ramifications for schools. While the situation remains dynamic and subject to change, we understand that our clients are seeking information now and therefore we will address some specific issues below based on the current legal landscape.”
The advisory noted that “historically, immigration enforcement actions have not been conducted on school premises” under “sensitive location” policies issued by Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement “unless there are exigent circumstances or prior supervisory approval,” with schools being among these locations.
“However, the Trump administration has suggested it will repeal and/or disregard that policy. In light of this, school officials should generate a plan for what to do if immigration officials seek to conduct activities at school, and provide appropriate training to those who may come into contact with the officials.”
The Department of Homeland Security has since reversed these guidelines, saying that “This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens — including murderers and rapists — who have illegally come into our country.”
Hellbound and Down 