School District Navigates Extracurriculars Alongside Border Enforcement

Yellow school bus with extended stop sign.

A Texas school district warns parents about potential Border Patrol checks on school buses, raising concerns about student deportations.

Key Takeaways

Alice Independent School District in Texas alerts parents to possible Border Patrol citizenship checks on extracurricular activity buses.
Students without proper documentation may face detention or deportation if questioned during these checks.
The school district is considering additional safety measures, including chaperone vehicles for bus trips.
Recent policy changes allow ICE and CBP to operate in previously protected areas like schools and churches.
Other Texas school districts are also addressing changes in immigration enforcement policies.

Texas School District Issues Warning About Border Patrol Checks

Alice Independent School District in Texas has taken a proactive step by warning parents about the possibility of Border Patrol agents boarding school buses to conduct citizenship checks. This alert specifically pertains to buses used for extracurricular activities that may pass through highway checkpoints. Superintendent Anysia Trevino sent a letter to parents highlighting the potential consequences for students without proper documentation.

The district’s warning underscores the serious implications for undocumented students, who may face detention or deportation if questioned during these checks. Additionally, the letter emphasized that providing false information about citizenship status could negatively impact future eligibility for U.S. citizenship.

New: The Alice Independent School District in South Texas warned parents in a letter Wednesday that U.S. Border Patrol agents may be checking the immigration status of students on school buses traveling for extracurricular activities. https://t.co/VQVF3bG7J9

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) February 6, 2025

Safety Measures and District Response

In response to these concerns, Alice ISD is exploring additional safety measures to protect its students. One proposed solution involves having a chaperone vehicle accompany buses on trips. This vehicle would be ready to provide support if any issues arise during Border Patrol checks.

The district’s approach reflects a growing awareness of the changing immigration enforcement landscape. Other school districts in Texas, such as West Oso ISD, have also addressed changes in immigration policies. These districts are emphasizing their commitment to welcoming all students, regardless of citizenship status, while also preparing families for potential enforcement scenarios.

Broader Policy Changes Affecting Schools

The situation in Alice ISD is part of a larger shift in immigration enforcement policies. Recent changes by the Department of Homeland Security have expanded the operational scope of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These agencies are now authorized to operate in areas previously considered sensitive locations, including schools and churches.

This policy change rescinds previous guidelines that limited ICE arrests at sensitive locations. The new directives empower law enforcement to enforce immigration laws more broadly, including at public events and school-related activities. This shift has raised concerns among educators and community leaders about the potential impact on student safety and participation in school activities.

School buses now? https://t.co/S8ohoWLK7a

— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) February 6, 2025

As school districts navigate these new challenges, they are balancing their educational mission with the need to inform and protect their students. The situation in Alice ISD serves as a reminder of the complex intersection between immigration policy and education in border regions. It also highlights the ongoing debate about the role of immigration enforcement in community spaces and its impact on vulnerable populations.