Samantha Sun || Copy Editor
The protocols for how AHS would respond if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents came to the campus are important for all students to know.
ICE is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security and focuses on investigating criminals and enforcing immigration laws. According to the American Immigration Council, a nonprofit organization, as of January 2025, policies that once protected schools have been rescinded, causing a wave of concern amongst administrators, parents, and students.
“We are fortunate to have strong guidance from the Massachusetts Attorney General and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the district will follow this guidance if needed,” said Superintendent Magda Parvey, regarding a potential ICE arrival. The Massachusetts Attorney General and DESE outline the important information surrounding student information, safety, and rights under the law.
According to the Massachusetts Attorney General, schools may release directory information to third parties but should be careful depending on the situation. Directory information is information in a student’s education record, such as their name, phone number, grade level, dates of attendance, participation in activities, and awards. Parents and students are allowed to opt out of releasing certain information.
However, if an ICE agent were to request a student’s personally identifiable information (PII), AHS would be prohibited from providing it to them as stated under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). PII includes sensitive information such as parents’ names, social security numbers, and dates of birth.
There are several reasons why ICE would come to investigate on a school campus: a civil detainer, judicial warrant, or administrative warrant. Officer Thomas Paolera explained a civil detainer is a request from ICE to the local law enforcement to hold someone in custody. However, as an officer for the Andover Police Department (APD), he noted that he is not legally obligated to enforce them.
An administrative warrant signed by ICE agents, not by a judge, also doesn’t give ICE the right to enter a nonpublic space, according to the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, an organization made up of American college and university leaders.
On the other hand, a judicial warrant is signed by a federal judge or magistrate, and could allow their entry. A judicial warrant is necessary if ICE directly requests for a student to be questioned or removed. If one is provided, it would be sent to Parvey, who would consult with the legal counsel to review the scope of the search or arrest. Depending on that result, it would influence how the situation would be handled.
Additionally, Principal Jimmy D’Andrea would immediately be notified about ICE’s presence. “If an ICE agent requests access to a student [we’d] refer the agent to the district central office…and immediately contact the student’s parent or guardian,” said D’Andrea.
Paolera clarified that his role doesn’t include enforcing ICE’s orders, it’s only to maintain safety and peace at AHS. D’Andrea explained his new policy of putting classes on “hold” to verify each student’s safety. “It is rare that we would put detailed information out over the PA system…if there were something going on, we want to make sure that students are staying in their classes and we know where everyone is,” he said.
If any students ever feel unsafe, Paolera advised they ask him questions and noted that his door is always open.
“It’s really important to me that students feel safe, physically and emotionally, and feel connected to the school…I’m always happy to follow up personally,” added D’Andrea, who encourages students to email him with any questions or concerns. The guidance office is also always available for students if they ever need extra support.
“The district’s mission is steadfast—APS is a district where every student belongs and receives the support they need…we remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety of all APS students,” concluded Parvey.
