ICE raids under the Trump Administration

What will be happening to the residents of Lincoln?

Jan. 20, 2025 is the day Donald J. Trump took his position as president for his second non-consecutive term. Armed with a Sharpie, Trump broke the record for the most executive orders signed by a president on their first day. This raises concerns about whether the next incoming president will overturn Trump’s executive order, as Trump did to former President Biden’s executive orders. Of the dozens of executive orders signed that day, a handful were directed toward immigration. The executive order that concerns immigrants in America is the, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” executive order. This executive order calls for the immediate removal of illegal immigrants from the country. While many, but not all Americans agree that illegal immigration is a problem in America, the quest to address the issue is complex. 

In preparation for Trump’s first day in office, around 500 superintendents, principals and teachers went on a Zoom call to discuss the protocol for dealing with immigration raids in schools. If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents enter the school, the subpoena must be validated, the superintendent and school attorney must be contacted as well. Students will be asked to remain calm during the process. Most Americans agree that violent immigrants should be deported, but when it comes to deporting children in school, it is a bit more of a touchy topic. Some of the children have never built any memories of the country they were born in and may not even be fluent in their native language. 

By having ICE agents in schools, students may experience a sense of fear. Anxiety such as this may cause students to not pay attention in class or challenge their learning. Even if students do not fear getting deported while in school, their parents can be deported and the student is left with no one. Such an incident happened in Grand Island, Neb. in 2006 in which 250 suspects were detained from a meat packing facility. Governor Jim Pillen has issued Executive Order NO. 25-01 which has declared their support and cooperation of Trump’s Immigration Policy and Nebraska governing agencies to apply the "fullest extent permitted by law." 

ICE has not commented on their activities in Nebraska nor the amount of arrests happening in the state. Unofficial reports indicate that there have been ICE activities in eastern Nebraska and people have been arrested. It is important to know some of the basic rights if someone is ever stopped by such an agency. If ICE shows up to a house, the resident should ask for a valid warrant. ICE may try to use other documents that look like a warrant or have a warrant without a judge’s signature. If there is no valid warrant they do not have the right to enter the home. If one is ever arrested, it is important to use the right to remain silent and it must be stated. If a suspect is arrested and does not state their right out loud, their silence can be used against them in court. 

By: Stuart Cuateco