I am shocked, saddened, and deeply concerned about the recent ICE actions in Minneapolis. This is a very important moment for our nation and for us as educators and support professionals – people who spend our lives teaching and serving public school students.
That’s why I want to speak with you directly about it.
I know that what you are seeing in the news brings up a strong range of emotions, particularly because the situation in Minneapolis has caused disruption and fear among students, educators, and support professionals.
We believe public schools must be safe places for everyone
Our public schools are and must always be places where children feel safe and can learn without fear. This objective is consistent with our values as PSEA members, and it is what we all try to achieve every day in our schools and classrooms.
In fact, PSEA members at previous Houses of Delegates, the highest policymaking body in our Association, felt so strongly about this that they approved two key PSEA resolutions describing these beliefs.
- Resolution D-35. “The Association believes that a primary responsibility of school districts is to provide for the safety of all students and staff.” (PSEA Resolutions, page 27)
- Resolution E-31. “The Association supports state and federal legislation guaranteeing equal educational opportunities for students of displaced, migrant, and mobile families.” (PSEA Resolutions, page 33)
Legal background and congressional action
As of now, we are aware of virtually no ICE actions occurring in Pennsylvania’s public schools. But I am concerned about it, because of a recent federal policy change that makes ICE actions in schools more likely.
For years, schools (including playgrounds and even bus stops) were considered “sensitive” or “protected,” meaning that ICE officials were directed to refrain from conducting enforcement actions in those areas absent certain exigent circumstances.
In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security repealed this “protected area” directive. Now, ICE can conduct enforcement actions on school grounds, if they have a proper warrant. This has created the potential for disruptions in our public schools and reason to be very concerned about it. Our goal is to reinstate the policy that prohibited these disruptions.
To do this, PSEA and NEA are working with U.S. Senators and Representatives to pass S. 455 and H.R. 1061, the proposed Protecting Sensitive Locations Act.
I urge you to learn more about these bills and send a message to your U.S. senators and representatives, encouraging them to support this important legislation.
We have your back
These are troubling times. And I want you to know that your Association and your statewide, region, and local officers will always have your back. The values we share are why we became educators and support professionals in the first place. Those values will hold us together – no matter what.
As always, thank you for everything you do.
Aaron Chapin
PSEA President
