Federal agents on patrol in Minneapolis in January. A coalition of 22 states says the Trump administration has likely violated a court order limiting the types of health information that can be shared with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings. (Photo: Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)
Democrats in the House and Senate have introduced two bills that would restrict immigration enforcement in K-12 schools across the commonwealth.
Identical proposals introduced in each chamber would require school districts to adopt policies prohibiting employees from allowing federal immigration agents or local law enforcement agents assisting them to enter most school property without a signed court order.
While agents will be able to enter designated public areas on school grounds, such as the lobby, employees will be required to refuse further entry, including areas of the facility where students board or exit buses and cars, without a warrant. School staff will also be required to ask any agent applying for entry to provide identification and contact details.
The measure would also prohibit school officials from sharing students’ identifying information, including bus routes and family immigration status, with federal agents or law enforcement for the purpose of enforcing immigration laws. It would require school districts to provide annual training on the rules and implement a disciplinary process for employees who violate them.
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The authors and co-authors of both bills are exclusively Democrats, and 41 have signed onto this bill Home version and 12 to Senate version.
“[Schools] should be a place of safety and learning where every child has access and can focus on their education without fear or disruption,” said Rep. Joe Hohenstein (R-Philadelphia), author of the House bill. “Families must trust that schools are sheltered places, but if immigration [enforcement] entering or raiding these schools, or even threatening to do so, undermines the trust that this institution places in families.”
A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not respond to a request for comment.
Aaliya Wafa, a high school student from Pittsburgh who moved to the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2022, spoke in favor of the measures at a press conference on Monday.
“When I came here, I hoped I would be safe, that I would have a great education and a better life,” she said. “Since then, I have been working challenging at school every day and school is very significant to me. It is a place where I learn, where I improve… Sometimes students are afraid. They are worried about what might happen to them, their families or their community. When we are afraid, it is arduous for us to focus, learn and feel sheltered at school. School should be a place where every student feels sheltered and supported.
According to Maura McInerney, legal director at the Education Law Center, a Pennsylvania nonprofit, she is not aware of any incidents involving ICE agents attempting to enter Pennsylvania schools, but says federal agents have been seen near schools in many parts of the Commonwealth.
She stated that the fear it causes has already affected attendance, especially among students from immigrant families.
While the bills would not stop immigration enforcement near schools, she said she hoped they would provide peace of mind for students and families concerned about the situation reaching the schools themselves or where students board buses.
“We have heard time and time again from allies and community members about the fear and uncertainty that surrounds everyday interactions,” McInerney said. “It is tragic that these very circumstances have interrupted the simple act of attending school. Schools should be a safe haven where every child feels welcome.”
She cited A questionnaire with more than 600 high school principals across the country, where nearly two-thirds of immigrant students missed classes in 2025 due to fears of federal immigration enforcement.
While I.C.E maintains that it does not conduct immigration enforcement activities on school propertylast year, the agency rescinded the “protected space” designation for previously protected areas such as schools and churches.
Judy Heath, a retired school social worker who spent most of her career in lower Bucks County, said she saw the impact that fear of immigration enforcement could have on students and worked with a citizen group in Montgomery County to facilitate officials craft a favorable resolution.
“Unfortunately, increased immigration enforcement may impact school attendance,” Heath said. “There is a legitimate concern that ICE may appear while children are waiting at bus stops, or ICE may appear on school grounds, playgrounds or school entrances – places that were, but are no longer, protected from ICE. We also know the detrimental impact school absenteeism and stress can have on our children’s futures, including on their academic performance, educational achievement, and mental and physical health.”
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Despite helping to create local policy in her home county, Heath called for guidelines for all school districts statewide. Even in districts that have already created their own policies, confusion over how to enforce or communicate them can make them ineffective, she said.
Sen. Katie Muth (R-Montgomery), a supporter of the Senate bill, said many districts have already adopted policies similar to those outlined in her legislation. However, he still believes a statewide law is necessary to provide similar protections to immigrant students across the commonwealth.
“Having this bill as a state law would ease the burden on districts that want to do this, but would also be concerned about a lot of unnecessary and aggressive public comments at school board meetings,” she said.
She added that her district, the 44th Senate District, includes parts of Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties. She also said she has heard from teachers about immigration enforcement affecting their students’ families across the region.
“If you think this is just happening – these ICE raids and literally kidnapping people – it’s just a city problem or just a certain part of the state, Senate District 44 [includes] parts of three counties,” she said. “The number of calls I’m getting from teachers whose parents have been detained after dropping off their children at school is getting quite high. … Whether they’re immigrant children or not doesn’t matter. There are kids who are watching this, and their friends aren’t coming back to class and they’re just gone.
