Letter Concerning Immigration Enforcement in Schools

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Hon. Sydney Jordan
[email protected]

Hon. Peggy Bennett
[email protected]

RE: Immigration Enforcement in Schools

Dear Reps. Jordan and Bennett:

Peace be with you.

We write concerning immigration enforcement in schools. It seems that there are common values among
Republicans and Democrats in working to ensure that all kids, irrespective of immigration status, feel safe in
school and are not threatened by family separation or detainment.

To achieve the shared goal of protecting kids, and given the legislative impasse, we propose an alternative path. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the bishops here in Minnesota in dialogue with Border Czar Homan and the Department of Homeland Security, have been advocating for a reinstatement of the 2021 Protected Areas/Sensitive Locations guidance that was rescinded by President Trump in early 2025.

Reinstatement of the Protected Areas guidance would make people feel safe in matters of accessing essential services at places such as schools, hospitals, places of worship, and social service sites by limiting immigration enforcement in those areas. Thus, it lines up with Democrat values concerning non-enforcement in schools, and Republican concerns that immigration enforcement policies are guided by federal law.

We live under a broken immigration system in which the reasons why people are here illegally are complex. The federal government can enforce immigration laws, but should not do so indiscriminately, recognizing the complexity of people’s circumstances and respect for basic human dignity.

We propose that Democrats and Republicans jointly pass a resolution asking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reinstate the 2021 Protected Areas Guidance. If you cannot find agreement on the scope of that guidance, perhaps limit it to schools, hospitals, and places of worship. We stand ready to assist you in this matter.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully yours,

Jason Adkins
Executive Director
[email protected]

CC: Speaker Lisa Demuth; Leader Zach Stephenson

Enclosure: 2021 Protected Areas Guidance