Sunday, Jan. 25, rumors began to swirl on social media about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents visiting Polk County Public Schools.
Monday, Jan. 26, the School District posted a response on Facebook.
By Tuesday afternoon, the Facebook post was shared over 350 times and had garnered over 875 comments.
In the comments, individuals asked about training for faculty and staff to protect students’ rights, if parents/guardians would be notified if ICE was on campus and how parents would be informed if a minor was detained. Some applauded the efforts of ICE agents, while others spoke out in opposition. Many thanked the School District for providing information and quelling fears. Some questioned the truthfulness of the district’s response.
Polk County Public Schools did not appear to respond to individual questions, but they posted the following reminder: “The usual rules apply here: Please be civil, don’t use profanity (your comment will be auto-filtered), and don’t post misinformation. Thank you.”
LkldNow reached out to Polk County Public Schools for comment. In an email, they provided information that they said was shared with schools the week of Jan. 19, 2026, and previously in 2025:
Background
- Schools do not have authority to block federal law enforcement agents who are acting within their legal authority.
- Federal agents do not need permission from a school or school district to be present in public areas of campus (e.g., parking lots or sidewalks) when acting lawfully.
- Schools may restrict access to non-public areas (classrooms, offices, secured or fenced areas) unless agents present a valid judicial warrant.
- If a valid judicial warrant is presented, refusal of access is not lawful.
Required procedures if an ICE agent comes to campus
- If an ICE agent visits your school, staff must follow the procedures previously communicated on January 27, 2025, summarized below:
- Do not provide information or access immediately. Politely inform the agent that district protocols require administrative review before any action is taken.
- Obtain identifying information. Request the agent’s name and contact information (business card if available). Ask for the name, date of birth, and home address of the individual about whom they are inquiring.
- Contact the Superintendent’s Office immediately. The principal or designee must contact the Superintendent’s Office for direction. No action should be taken without explicit guidance from district leadership.
- Request documentation, if presented. If the agent presents a court order or judicial warrant, request a copy. Do not attempt to assess or interpret its validity. District legal counsel will review the documentation and advise on next steps.
- Maintain confidentiality and minimize disruption. Protect student and staff privacy. Avoid discussions in public areas or in the presence of students or visitors. If a detention occurs, work with district leadership to ensure it is handled in a manner that minimizes disruption to the school environment.
Important reminders
Even with changes to Department of Homeland Security policy, Fourth Amendment protections remain in place, including protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Plyler v. Doe (1982) continues to guarantee all children access to a free public education regardless of immigration status. Schools may not deny enrollment or access to instruction based on immigration status or the presence of ICE.
Anna Toms is a reporter for LkldNow, a nonprofit newsroom providing independent local news for Lakeland. Read at LkldNow.com.
