Introduction to the Lawsuit
Labor unions representing millions of educators and school employees are suing President Donald Trump’s administration over its immigration crackdown, saying arrests near school campuses are terrorizing children and their teachers, leading some students to drop out. At the start of Trump’s second term, his Republican administration said it would allow immigration arrests at schools — long considered off limits. That violated the law, argues the lawsuit from the two largest U.S. teacher unions, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.
Background of the Immigration Crackdown
For nearly three decades, immigration agents were instructed to steer clear of “sensitive locations” like schools, hospitals and places of worship, except under extraordinary circumstances. Homeland Security, according to a 2021 memo, could “accomplish (its) enforcement mission without denying or limiting individuals’ access to needed medical care, children access to their schools, the displaced access to food and shelter, people of faith access to their places of worship.” A day after Trump took office, the department rescinded the memo and instead urged agents to use “common sense” when operating near schools and churches.
The Lawsuit and Its Claims
The lawsuit describes several instances of masked agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement making arrests in and around school and church grounds. In Los Angeles, masked border patrol officers descended on a car parked next to a high school and ordered a 15-year-old boy with disabilities out at gunpoint while searching for a man with gang ties. They handcuffed him and only released him when they discovered they had the wrong person. The lawsuit includes testimonials from unnamed teachers who report seeing increased anxiety and decreased participation and attendance from students who are either immigrants or the children of immigrants.
Impact on Students and Teachers
High school teachers in Pennsylvania and Virginia said some students stopped showing up in the spring, fearful they would be arrested on campus. A speech pathologist at a California elementary school said immigrant parents were reluctant to sign up their children for special education services because it would mean giving more information to the school. A Texas high school teacher for students learning English said enrollment in her classes has dropped precipitously. “America’s classrooms must be safe and welcoming places of learning and discovery,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the AFT.
Teachers walk with students on the first day of school Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Lawsuit’s Arguments
Lawyers argue Trump’s decision to open up churches to immigration enforcement violates the First Amendment rights of parishioners because it makes them too fearful to attend church. Rescinding the sensitive-locations memo, the lawsuit says, violates the Administrative Procedure Act, which bars agencies from implementing policies that are “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the law.” The educators are joining a lawsuit filed in April by an Oregon farmworker union and a group of churches, challenging the Trump administration’s decision to open houses of worship to immigration enforcement as well. The amended lawsuit was filed Tuesday in federal court in Eugene, Oregon.
Conclusion
The lawsuit against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is a significant development in the ongoing debate about immigration policy in the United States. The claims made by the educators and school employees highlight the human impact of these policies, particularly on children and families. As the lawsuit progresses, it will be important to consider the potential consequences of allowing immigration arrests at schools and other sensitive locations.
FAQs
Q: What is the basis of the lawsuit against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown?
A: The lawsuit argues that the administration’s decision to allow immigration arrests at schools and other sensitive locations violates the law and is having a negative impact on children and families.
Q: What are some of the specific instances of immigration arrests at schools and churches described in the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit describes instances of masked agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement making arrests in and around school and church grounds, including the arrest of a 15-year-old boy with disabilities in Los Angeles.
Q: How have the immigration crackdown and arrests at schools affected students and teachers?
A: The lawsuit includes testimonials from unnamed teachers who report seeing increased anxiety and decreased participation and attendance from students who are either immigrants or the children of immigrants.
Q: What are the arguments made by lawyers in the lawsuit?
A: Lawyers argue that Trump’s decision to open up churches to immigration enforcement violates the First Amendment rights of parishioners and that rescinding the sensitive-locations memo violates the Administrative Procedure Act.
