Oceanside, California – Increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration is forcing school districts across California to tighten security and prepare staff to prevent federal immigration officers from operating on school grounds. One Southern California district has begun issuing scripts and training staff on how to respond if Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempt to enter school campuses.
Oceanside Unified Trains Staff to Respond to ICE
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Oceanside Unified School District has increased security and provided front-office staff with step-by-step scripts designed to “keep ICE out of schools.” The district serves a large Latino population, with roughly one in eight students learning English.
Staff members have been trained on how to respond if immigration officers arrive, including how to document encounters and understand which areas of campus are legally restricted to the public.
Jordy Sparks, the district’s executive director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Student Support, said staff are equipped with clear guidance.
“We have a script that basically front office staff can walk through,” Sparks said.
Policy Change Ends Protections for “Sensitive Locations”
The renewed concern follows the Trump administration’s decision to rescind a longstanding federal policy that limited immigration enforcement at schools, hospitals, houses of worship, and other sensitive locations.
District officials say the removal of those protections has made preventative planning necessary. Oceanside Unified has also increased coordination with community organizations to engage in what officials describe as “more proactive and preventative work.”
Security Measures Increased on Campuses
In addition to staff training, Oceanside Unified has strengthened physical security across its schools. Visitors must now be buzzed in by staff, signage has been updated to mark restricted areas, and employees are receiving ongoing education on legal protections for students.
The Union-Tribune reported that optional trainings led by the district’s immigration response team provide deeper guidance on how staff can respond both professionally and as community members.
State Guidance Emphasizes Legal Limits on ICE
California officials say districts statewide are expected to update guidance by March 1 to ensure students are protected from immigration enforcement activities.
Attorney General Rob Bonta recently noted that approximately 133,000 undocumented children attend California’s public K–12 schools, with many more having undocumented parents or relatives.
“I know many California teachers and administrators are wondering how best to protect their students amid the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate, callous mass deportation campaign,” Bonta said.
State guidance clarifies that ICE agents cannot enter non-public areas of schools without a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or court order. This includes school buses and transportation vehicles, which are legally considered non-public spaces.
District Says It Is Following State Law
Oceanside Unified School District told Fox News Digital that its actions are consistent with existing state laws and board policies.
“OUSD is following updated state laws on this topic, though practices on law enforcement on campus have been part of our board policy since before 2020,” a district spokesperson said.
National Backlash After Recent Shooting
Concerns have intensified nationwide following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week. In response, teachers unions across the country have publicly called for immigration agents to stay away from schools.
The American Federation of Teachers and the Minneapolis Federation of Educators issued a joint statement criticizing federal enforcement actions.
“Why can’t this administration focus on working with communities to help them thrive, instead of stoking fear, violence and death?” the statement said.
The Chicago Teachers Union echoed those concerns, accusing the administration of “normalizing terror.”
“Our mayor has made it clear: ICE will not be allowed to stage on city property, and Chicago will not be complicit in these abuses,” the union said.
Uncertainty Ahead for Schools Nationwide
As immigration enforcement expands, educators and administrators say schools are increasingly being forced into legal and ethical conflicts. With federal protections removed and state guidance still evolving, districts are bracing for further tension between immigration authorities and school communities.
