Local Sheriffs: no special ICE operations have taken place on Shore

Pictured: Federal law enforcement officers handcuff an illegal alien during part of an enhanced law enforcement operation in Baltimore Jan. 29.

Amid deportation efforts by the new administration, rumors have been circulating on the Eastern Shore about local immigration enforcement operations, including the deportation of children from schools.

These rumors have led to lower school attendance in recent weeks, prompting letters from Accomack County Interim Superintendent David Jeck and Northampton Superintendent Lisa Martin to reassure families.

Their statement clarified that a new federal memo rescinds a 2021 policy that designated schools as protected areas from immigration enforcement. While this may raise concerns, student privacy remains protected under federal law, preventing schools from sharing personally identifiable information, including immigration status, without parental consent or a judicial order. Immigration officials must have a warrant to enter school property, and parental consent is required for student interviews. School districts are updating staff on protocols to ensure student safety and encourage families to seek support if needed.

Both Accomack County Sheriff Todd Wessells and Northampton County Sheriff David Doughty confirmed that no special US Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE) operations have taken place on the Eastern Shore in the past two weeks.

“ICE comes to the Shore every week to pick up individuals who have been convicted of crimes,” said Sheriff Wessells.

He emphasized that the sheriff is the highest-ranking law enforcement officer in the county and would be informed of any special federal or state operation.

“Our school resource officers are in schools every day, and they have not seen any ICE officers enter school grounds,” added Sheriff Doughty. “It’s unfortunate that fear has led some parents to keep their children home. If there were any planned operation, we would have been notified.”

There have been no credible reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducting raids on public schools anywhere in the United States. Official reports from ICE’s website indicate only violent criminals have been arrested in recent weeks.