Secret Service Agents Attempt to Access Hamline Elementary School in Chicago, Officials Say
Background
U.S. Secret Service agents visited a South Side elementary school in Chicago on Friday to investigate a threat, sparking fears of a potential immigration raid among parents and students. According to a Secret Service spokesman, the agents had identified themselves as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading school officials to believe they were immigration agents from ICE.
Initial Response
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials said that when the agents arrived at Hamline Elementary School, they were met by security guards and the school clerk, who called the school principal, Natasha Ortega. Ortega explained that the school followed protocols for when immigration agents come to the school, which includes requiring a signed criminal warrant before allowing them to enter. The agents were turned away without incident.
The Secret Service Investigation
The Secret Service spokesman explained that the agency had received a threat targeting one of the people they protect, related to the recent ban of social media platform TikTok. The agency had initially looked for the suspect at a nearby home and then came to the school to investigate. The spokesman emphasized that the Secret Service does not investigate or enforce immigration laws.
CPS Response
CPS officials have been training school staff on how to respond if immigration agents arrive at a school. The district has also designated three lawyers to review documents that immigration agents might present. School officials would not provide details on the number of agents at the door or whether they were looking for a specific child or adult.
Community Reaction
Community members and advocacy groups, including the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association and the Chicago Teachers Union, responded quickly to the incident. Troy LaRaviere, president of the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association, said the agents had informed school officials that a student had made a threat against President Donald Trump.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the tensions and fears surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly in communities with large immigrant populations. The Secret Service’s investigation into a threat targeting one of their protectees has raised concerns about the agency’s activities in public schools.
FAQs
* Why did the Secret Service agents visit Hamline Elementary School?
The agents were investigating a threat targeting one of their protectees, related to the recent ban of social media platform TikTok.
* Why did CPS officials turn away the agents?
CPS officials followed their protocols for when immigration agents arrive at a school, requiring a signed criminal warrant before allowing them to enter.
* What does the Secret Service do?
The Secret Service is responsible for investigating and preventing threats against the President, Vice President, and other government officials. They do not investigate or enforce immigration laws.
* How do CPS schools respond to immigration agents?
CPS schools have developed protocols for when immigration agents arrive, including requiring a signed criminal warrant before allowing them to enter and providing lawyers to review documents.
