Fitchburg Public Schools Superintendent Jon Thompson issued a letter to families on January 22, 2025, reaffirming the district’s commitment to protecting all students regardless of immigration status amid recent federal policy changes regarding immigration enforcement. The letter emphasized that the district does not collect or maintain information about students’ immigration statuses and will not coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It also stated that ICE would be denied access to school buildings without a judicial warrant signed by a federal judge and that student records would only be shared with ICE if legally required or with parental consent.
“Fitchburg Public Schools are places of learning, and our primary focus is on the education and well-being of our students,” Superintendent Thompson wrote in the letter. “While we are aware of discussions and reports surrounding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, our district’s approach will continue to prioritize the safety and sense of security of our school community.”
The Fitchburg Public Schools’ statement came in response to a January 21, 2025, announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which revoked previous guidelines that had limited ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from carrying out enforcement actions in “sensitive locations” such as schools, churches, and hospitals.
“This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP [Customs and Border Protection] and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens—including murders and rapists—who have illegally come into our country,” a DHS spokesperson said in their Jan. 21, 2025, statement. Adding, “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.
On the same day as the DHS announcement, Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez issued a statement stating that Worcester Public Schools would not coordinate with ICE.
“We will not coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” Superintendent Monárrez said in the statement. Later adding, “Principals and school-based staff have received detailed guidance on protecting students’ rights, responding to ICE interactions, and supporting students whose parents or guardians may be detained during the school day.”
Superintendent Rachel Monárrez emphasized that the district would not share student records with ICE without a court order or parental consent and would not allow ICE agents into schools without a criminal warrant signed by a federal judge.
In addition, a memo issued by the transportation department within Worcester Public Schools on January 22, 2025, directed bus drivers to refuse cooperation with ICE agents who may be waiting at bus stops. The memo, a copy of which was posted to social media (i.e. X) and verified by The Patch, instructed drivers, “If you are aware of any agents being at a stop, DO NOT let any student off the bus and contact the transportation office immediately.”
NO GO ZONE: Worcester schools have declared a "no go zone" for @EROBoston serving administrative warrants, ICE detainer or other document related to civil immigration. Directs bus drivers not to drop students if ICE at bus stops. #mapoli #worcester h/t @JasonDuncan611 pic.twitter.com/kOx4kKX1uv
— JohnFGately (@johnfgately) January 22, 2025
The DHS directives also ended the broad use of humanitarian parole, a program that had previously allowed temporary entry into the United States for individuals facing urgent humanitarian crises. Under the new policy, humanitarian parole will be limited to a case-by-case basis with stricter evaluations. DHS stated that this change was necessary to curb what it described as “abuse” of the program under the previous administration.
“The Biden-Harris Administration abused the humanitarian parole program to indiscriminately allow 1.5 million migrants to enter our country,” a DHS spokesperson said. “This was all stopped on day one of the Trump Administration. This action will return the humanitarian parole program to its original purpose of looking at migrants on a case-by-case basis.”
School officials encouraged families in both the Fitchburg and Worcester Public School systems to stay informed and reach out with any questions or concerns.
In Fitchburg, Superintendent Jon Thompson noted that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), in collaboration with the State Office of Refugees and Immigrants, will be providing school districts throughout the Commonwealth with additional guidance and resources.
“On Monday, January 27th, the DESE will provide school districts with an overview of legal resources for immigrants in the Commonwealth, know your rights resources, and guidance for interaction with immigration officers,” Superintendent Thompson said. “I will reach out to all families next week with additional information.”
Thompson added that the Fitcbhurg Public Schools’ support staff are available to provide assistance and resources to families as needed.
In Worcester, families with further questions are encouraged to visit mass.gov or speak with their school principal for additional support.
