In recent months, many Joliet residents have grown concerned about the increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across the city and nearby communities. Since late September 2025, several reports have stated that ICE agents have been spotted in different areas, sparking conversations among families, students, and school staff about what this could mean for the community.

Schools within the area, including Joliet West High School, have been taking proactive steps to make sure students and families feel safe and supported. Administrators and staff have been reviewing district procedures and sharing updates with families to prepare for any possible situation involving law enforcement or immigration officials.

Principal Tecara Parker explained how the district would respond if ICE ever came to a school building. “If given an order or subpoena, District Administration and legal counsel will handle communication, give instructions, and manage any requests for student records,” Parker said. “School officials are only required to cooperate if a law enforcement officer has criminal judicial arrest warrants or is conducting a criminal arrest. Local police will not be involved unless there are criminal violations.”

Illinois has also taken statewide steps to protect students and schools. The Safe Schools for All Act, signed into law in August 2025, ensures that public schools are safe spaces for everyone—no matter their immigration status. The law reinforces that immigration enforcement is not allowed on school property and that all student information is protected by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).

Detective Price, Joliet West’s School Resource Officer, explained that ICE would have to follow normal visitor procedures just like anyone else. “They would need to identify themselves, provide ID, and give a reason for being on campus,” he said. “The district doesn’t ask for or record any student or family’s immigration status, so there would be no reason to allow entry unless there was a valid judicial warrant. To my knowledge, we have not had on-campus immigration enforcement activity.”

Mr. Marcum, assistant principal, added that “school staff should never release student records to any outside official. ICE warrants are civil, not criminal, so unless there’s a criminal violation, local police and school staff won’t be involved.”

While Joliet schools focus on keeping their campuses safe, immigration activity across Illinois has raised broader concerns. Governor JB Pritzker recently stated that around 1,500 individuals have been taken into custody as part of federal operations, though the government has not confirmed those numbers.

Despite the uncertainty, Joliet West continues to focus on its mission of inclusion, safety, and support for all students. “Our goal,” said Principal Parker, “is to make sure every student feels welcome and protected—no matter their background or situation.”