Traditionally, schools, churches, and hospitals have been regarded as “sensitive locations” where immigration enforcement activities were restricted to protect essential services and prevent community fear. However, this approach shifted under the Trump administration, which lifted these limitations as part of its broader deportation strategy.
Nevada lawmakers are currently engaging in efforts to safeguard undocumented students and address the increasing concern of student absenteeism. Assemblymember Cecelia González introduced AB217, a bill aimed at curbing immigration enforcement in educational settings.
González emphasized, “[This] was a call in response to actual community’s concerns and fears about what is happening at the national level when it comes to immigration.” She criticized the federal deportation measures as “inappropriate and unprofessional.”
The proposed legislation, AB217, mandates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents secure a judicial warrant before entering school premises. This measure is designed to prevent ICE from misrepresenting themselves as local police or misusing documents to gain unauthorized access.
While the bill does not impose new legal standards, it formalizes existing practices in districts such as Washoe County, ensuring consistency irrespective of changes in district administration or federal policies.
Beth Smith, the president of the Washoe County School Board, expressed her personal support for AB217. She stated, “[González] is just creating a space for state law that already mandates the process that you should be following, which is allowing access for any law enforcement, but with a judicial warrant.”
Smith noted that Washoe County schools adhere to district regulations, treating ICE with the same protocols as other law enforcement bodies like local police or the sheriff’s department regarding school access.
Rechelle Murillo, director of intervention for the Washoe County School District, has acknowledged increased anxiety within Latino families, though she points out that there is no formal data connecting absenteeism to ICE-related fears. She mentioned that the concerns are primarily anecdotal, originating from family resource centers where parents have voiced their apprehensions.
Murillo, who supervises attendance and interventions, remarked on the potential impact on student attendance, with possible adverse effects on academic performance, social-emotional growth, and graduation outcomes.
González clarified the core objective of the bill, stating, “At the end of the day, this is about protecting kids—making sure they can go to school without worrying about what happens when they leave.”
AB217 is currently undergoing amendments, with a legislative hearing anticipated this week.
