A new federal policy allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into public schools has sparked concerns nationwide, including here in Ohio.

Just last week, ICE agents conducted a raid at a Cleveland Heights restaurant, detaining six undocumented workers while originally seeking one individual. On Wednesday, most of the workers were released on bond.

Justin Bibb, mayor of Cleveland, and other local leaders were quick to respond.

"Targeting schools, hospitals and places of worship is obscene," Bibb asserted. "Immigrants are human beings. They have elevated our home by contributing their talents and culture in our great city. They support our economy."

The policy, which took effect last week, rescinds the previous administration's sensitive locations rule, which restricted ICE actions in schools, health care facilities and places of worship. ICE agents have reportedly been given increased quotas by the Trump administration, increasing the chance of indiscriminate arrests of the easiest immigrants rather than dangerous noncitizens.

Educators and legal experts are also raising concerns about how the policy affects school privacy laws and student rights.

Dan McNeil, general counsel for the American Federation of Teachers, said federal protections exist for student records and schools have guidelines on handling ICE inquiries, some of which are outlined in the Family and Education Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA.

"FERPA protects those records from being turned over to third parties," McNeil emphasized. "This also means that educators cannot turn over to third parties educational records of their students. The educational record should not contain anything about immigration status."

Immigration advocates are urging school administrators to familiarize themselves with legal protections and available resources. The American Federation of Teachers has released guidance for educators on how to navigate ICE presence in schools, emphasizing children have the right to education regardless of their immigration status.

Tax filing season has wrapped up but the backlash over a new IRS policy concerning undocumented individuals is not going away.

A retired agency official from Illinois said her heart breaks for the people she served over the years. A deal has been struck between the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security to share the sensitive taxpayer information of those facing deportation. Officials said locating "violent criminals" is part of the goal.

Yolanda Ruiz worked for the IRS for 33 years doing outreach work in Latino communities, including tax-filing workshops. She would stress submitting a return would not overlap with immigration enforcement.

"In that outreach, I would always reassure undocumented immigrants that we would not share their personal information with ICE," Ruiz recounted. "And I also encouraged filing and paying their taxes, because it could ultimately help them with legalization and citizenship."

She explained their application approval odds might improve if they showed consistency in paying taxes. Researchers noted people without legal status pay income taxes through a specialized number. In 2023, those households paid nearly $90 billion in taxes. But Ruiz, who is not speaking for the agency, worries the new agreement will undo the trust those like her worked so hard to build.

Ruiz agreed with immigrants' advocates who said some people are now afraid to file tax returns, which could mean less revenue for the federal government, potentially limiting community resources. She added she was devastated upon hearing the news about a policy opposite of the long-standing approach in serving immigrants.

"I really can't help but to feel like I let them down," Ruiz explained. "My heart hurts and I pray for the immigrants."

The fallout is being felt within the agency, too, with the acting IRS commissioner reportedly resigning this month because of the agreement with Homeland Security.


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The Nevada Immigrant Coalition and community organizers are sounding the alarm about expected Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Southern Nevada later this week.

Laura Martin, executive director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, has been speaking with members of the legal community and said they want people in Southern Nevada to be ready, and know what to do.

"We've also heard from some attorneys that there are possibly 100 ICE agents who have moved into the area to complete an enforcement operation through the Easter weekend," Martin reported.

Martin encouraged all immigrants to know their rights if they are approached by ICE. She added regardless of someone's immigration status, all Nevadans have rights.

The ACLU of Nevada has created a guide to ensure people know their rights and know how to take action if their rights are violated.

President Donald Trump is encouraging those who are here illegally to self-deport instead of being deported "the hard way."

Martha Menendez, legal manager for Justice In Motion, encouraged those who think they could be in jeopardy of being deported to prepare a family plan, like having all necessary documentation in one place and thinking about other special arrangements. She added she wants people to be prepared, not scared.

Menendez stressed if ICE does knock on your door, do not open it. First ask for the reason of the visit and request to see what is called a judicial warrant.

"Make sure when you are asking them for documents, they slide it under the door, that they put it up against the window, that you see that it is signed by a judge and that it said they have the right to come in and arrest you," Menendez outlined. "Otherwise, they do not."

Menendez explains if an administrative order is presented, officers do not have the legal authorization to enter forcibly. She reminded everyone they have the right to remain silent and are not obligated to answer questions about their immigration status without a lawyer being present.

A New Mexico immigrant advocacy group says all Americans should be alarmed that the IRS has agreed to share immigrants' taxpayer information with ICE agents because their personal data could be next.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Internal Revenue Service have reached a deal to provide sensitive taxpayer data to federal immigration authorities as part of the deportation push by President Donald Trump.

Marcela Díaz, executive director of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, called the action unconscionable and immoral.

"This is an extreme breach of trust between a federal government agency that has promised immigrant communities, for over 30 years, that it would not share information for the purpose of immigration enforcement," she said.

Díaz noted that other Americans could be next if the Trump administration decides to overturn longstanding laws that protect their personal information. It's estimated that New Mexico's immigrant population contributes nearly $1.5 billion in federal, state and local taxes.

There are close to 15,000 New Mexicans who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to file their state taxes every year. Diaz said many will face a "Catch-22" -- a choice between breaking tax laws by not filing or possibly suffering even worse consequences.

"By doing it, you are exposing your family and your community to the devastation of detention, deportation and separation of families," she continued.

Díaz believes fear instilled by the new directive will have profound consequences nationwide.

"We are seeing a deterioration of that trust between the citizens of this country and the residents of this country and the essential hard-working families of this country, including immigrants, and these federal government agencies," she explained.

Somos Un Pueblo Unido is a plaintiff in a national lawsuit filed by Public Citizen against the Trump administration and the IRS.

As of Wednesday, the IRS acting commissioner was planning to resign rather than participate in sharing immigrants' tax data with Homeland Security.


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