Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has outlined a response to the Trump administration’s plan for “mass deportations.” (Melanie Asmar / Chalkbeat)

On Feb. 12, Denver Public Schools became the first school district in the nation to file for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to immediately stop the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from revoking the “sensitive location status” of schools. The request for the emergency TRO was prompted by several arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in neighborhoods surrounding DPS schools in early February. Since the arrests, DPS has also noted a drop in attendance.

Hours after President Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, DHS rescinded a policy that prohibited arrests by ICE agents in or near “sensitive locations” such as schools, hospitals, and houses of worship.

“While DPS may be the first public school district to file a TRO, I encourage other districts nationwide to  exercise their power and take action toward protecting their students,” said DPS Superintendent Alex Marrero.   He added, “I want to reassure our community that DPS remains committed to providing the highest-quality education to our students and ensuring that schools will remain safe, welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environments for all.”

In addition to seeking the TRO, the district is distributing a “Student Resources Toolkit” to families with  students in sixth through twelfth grade. One section includes “suggested steps for students if your parent/guardian is detained.” For younger students, a “Family Resource Toolkit” is available to facilitate age-appropriate conversations about immigration. Students and families may also receive basic needs and multi-lingual resources through one of the 19 community hubs in DPS schools.

In an email to parents and guardians in February, DPS emphasized that all children in the United States have a constitutional right to free public education, regardless of immigration status. Some schools in Denver are providing access to Red Cards, which were created by The Immigrant Legal Resource Center and explain the rights and protections held by all people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, and how to  assert those rights.

Also, in response to changing federal policies, DPS recently issued a LGBTQ+ Toolkit listing resources in schools and the community to support LGBTQ+ students and families.