- Attendance drops linked to immigration enforcement fears
- Schools divert resources to mental health and academic support
- Policy shift removes mandatory approval for school arrests
- ICE data shows 2 school arrests in three years prior to change
- Similar religious group case resulted in enforcement block
Denver Public Schools has launched a legal battle against a controversial immigration policy, arguing that the mere threat of arrests in educational settings has triggered a sharp decline in student attendance. District officials report reallocating staff and funds to address widespread anxiety, including expanding counseling services and creating safety protocols. This marks one of the first major challenges to the revised federal guidelines that grant immigration agents broader discretion near schools.
The policy change, enacted in January, replaced prior rules requiring supervisor approval for operations at sensitive locationslike schools. While ICE records indicate only two on-campus arrests occurred nationally between 2018-2020, educators emphasize the psychological impact outweighs statistical frequency. A recent survey of Denver families revealed 34% have kept children home due to enforcement concerns, creating ripple effects in academic performance.
Legal experts highlight parallels with a Maryland case where Quaker congregations successfully blocked enforcement in houses of worship. Unlike that narrowly tailored injunction, Denver's case could set national precedent regarding educational spaces. The district's filings include testimony from school psychologists detailing panic attacks among immigrant students and a 17% increase in crisis intervention requests.
Federal prosecutors counter that no actual arrests under the new policy have occurred, questioning the lawsuit's standing. However, education advocates argue the revised guidelines create a perpetual state of uncertainty. Urban school districts nationwide monitor this case, with Los Angeles and Chicago reportedly preparing similar challenges should Denver prevail.
Judge Daniel Domenico's impending decision carries significant weight, as his ruling could temporarily reinstate protections for 98,000 public schools during litigation. Legal analysts suggest the Maryland religious group precedent might influence the court's interpretation of sensitive locations.The outcome may ultimately hinge on whether psychological and operational impacts constitute sufficient legal harm.