On April 8, 2025, posts spread across Lawrencians’ social media pages with alerts of an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the 23rd Street Dillion’s parking lot. This report was later proven false.
This is not a unique situation. A similar incident occurred earlier in January. The same month, Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift released a statement to the district faculty and families containing a statement clarifying the district’s policy regarding immigrant and refugee students.
“On this team, we will continue to work every day to ensure that all children are welcomed, embraced and valued as important members of our USD 497 learning community in each of our classrooms and schools,” the statement said.
The statement said that the district will continue to abide by federal and state laws and that before any ICE agent enters school grounds, a review must go through the superintendent’s office. Additionally, if ICE requests any student information, the review must go through the superintendent’s office.
The message sent to faculty concluded with resources to support educators looking to support immigrant and migrant students. As ICE rumors, threats and raids have increased throughout the country, the district has yet to make an updated statement.
A teacher, who wishes to remain anonymous, said they decided to take action by addressing any immigrant and migrant related concerns in class. They also provided students with red cards reading listing their rights to present to officials in case of emergency.
The anonymous teacher said that they have had personal encounters in their classroom with their students who are concerned about ICE. In past years, the anonymous teacher said they have watched students navigate immigration policies, but last year, they watched a student’s fears grow with the growing threat of ICE.
“I had a student last semester who was terrified that her dad was going to get abducted,” the anonymous teacher said. “She had very real fears because…even though he was born here and here legally, they seem to be picking up people based on the color of their skin.”
Since it’s hard to confirm ICE sightings, a student, who would like to remain anonymous, said they and their family are uncertain where it is safe for them and their family to be. The anonymous student said they’re afraid this will affect students in similar positions’ attendance.
“We’re not going out as much. We can’t go out for dinner, and my mom doesn’t take night hours anymore,” the aAnonymous sStudent said. “My dad…he’s moving back to Lawrence to find a job here, but he’s not even going out past five o’clock.”
Sanctuary Alliance is an Immigrant Rights Organization that provides resources and financial support to the immigrant population in Lawrence; the lead organizer Mariel Ferreiro said she recommends if an individual thinks they have seen ICE agent or comes into direct contact with them to call the rapid response hotline: (785) 813-1098.
“It’s so incredibly important that everyone, not just people impacted by this, but everyone, understand that they have constitutional rights,” Ferreiro said. “The other thing is knowing what to do if you witness something. And the best thing that you can do if you see something, is to call the hotline.”
