Offi cials dispel ICE rumors
BANDERA, Texas — Bandera County Sheriff Josh Teitge addressed community concerns this week after rumors circulated online that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had entered Bandera ISD schools and removed students.
“This did not occur,” Teitge said in a public statement posted to social media. “There were no ICE agents in our schools, and no student was removed or arrested.”
The sheriff explained that two local Border Patrol officers requested to conduct a school security walkthrough on April 10—a routine practice conducted throughout Texas to familiarize law enforcement with school layouts and increase security visibility.
“This is a common practice which is supported not only by the school administration, but also by your Bandera County Sheriff’s Office,” Teitge said. “A common misconception is that Border Patrol is synonymous with ICE, which it is not.”
While ICE is tasked with enforcing immigration law, the sheriff said, U.S. Border Patrol focuses on safeguarding the nation’s borders and is not responsible for the removal of undocumented immigrants.
Teitge also emphasized that no federal agency is currently removing children from schools.
“I assure you that ICE is not and will not enter schools to remove children,” he said. “Their focus is on those illegal aliens committing additional crimes against our great citizens.”
The clarification comes as reports of heightened immigration enforcement spark concerns among families across the country. In Baltimore, phones at Griffith Immigration Law have been “ringing off the hook,” according to law partner Anna Tijerina, who told WMAR-2 News that parents are fearful of sending their children to school.
“They’re not taking their children to school because they’re afraid,” Tijerina said.
According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidelines, schools are still considered “sensitive locations,” but recent updates to enforcement policies allow ICE agents to operate in those areas under certain circumstances. However, Tijerina emphasized that agents cannot remove students from schools without a valid judicial warrant.
“It has to be signed by a judge,” she said. “If it’s signed by an immigration officer or the Department of Homeland Security, it’s not good enough.”
Bandera ISD officials reiterated their commitment to student privacy and legal protections.
“Bandera ISD is required to follow all laws and regulations set forth by local, state, and federal governmental entities,” said Laura Izaguirre Klein, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. “As per the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Plyler v. Doe (1982), all schools are required by law to provide equal educational opportunities to all students, regardless of immigration status.”
Klein noted that the district does not ask for immigration status during enrollment and only collects legally required records.
“District policy outlines procedures administrators must follow when law enforcement officers visit a campus,” she said. “BISD Board Policy GRA LEGAL/LOCAL ensures we protect the rights of all students.”
Legal experts, including Tijerina, also urge parents to be aware of their rights.
“You have a right to remain silent, a right to ask if you are free to go, and a right to request to see a judicial warrant or subpoena,” she said.
Tijerina added that while it is rare for agents to arrest children at school, there is concern they could use students’ information to locate family members.
.png)
