As officials and immigrant advocates in Lewiston brace for the possible arrival of a large U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation, Jake Langlais, superintendent of city schools, sent a lengthy letter to parents Thursday detailing his department’s policies toward local and federal law enforcement.

The letter was sent a day after mayors in Lewiston and Portland, as well as Gov. Janet Mills, issued statements addressing the rumored operations. It comes amid more than a week of clashes between federal immigration agents and protesters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in response to the fatal shooting of a local mother Jan. 7 by an ICE agent.

Thousands of federal agents have been sent to Minneapolis, a crackdown President Trump has related to a series of fraud cases involving Somali-Americans. In December, Trump called Somalis in Minnesota “garbage” and said he didn’t want them in the U.S.

The Trump administration said Tuesday it is ending the Temporary Protected Status program for Somali immigrants

School staff in Lewiston, where there is also a large Somali community, have heard from numerous people with questions about hypothetical scenarios should ICE’s presence increase in Lewiston, Langlais said.

“The risk in sharing this is that there are differing viewpoints, anything we share is subject to interpretation, and we are just trying to explain things simply; some will think we should say more, some will think we should say less and some will think we should say nothing at all. Saying nothing is not an option,” he wrote.

While much remains unknown about any potential ICE action in Lewiston, Langlais said the schools will be guided by policies and procedures already in place. Here is information laid out by Langlais in his note to parents.

Can ICE or other law enforcement agents take my child from school?

Lewiston schools does not allow law enforcement to access or dismiss students, Langlais said, unless they have a court order or are otherwise identified as a parent, guardian or have parental or guardian permission. 

Will the school give ICE or other law enforcement agents my child’s personal information?

Records maintained by the school are protected by the Family Education Rights and Protections Act, which bars the school from giving a student’s immigration status information to immigration agencies.

Who is responsible for maintaining school procedures?

School and district leaders are responsible for carrying out the school’s procedures. Unfamiliar, unpredictable and suspicious events or behaviors should be reported to school administrators.

Can ICE or other law enforcement agents question students at school?

School department policies give staff the authority to deny law enforcement agents access to students at school unless it is a matter directly impacting the school or school safety. The school does not allow agents access to students at school for events that occurred off school grounds or for outside school matters when there is no danger to the school.

“We openly discourage and work to prevent schools and school grounds from being used as a place to carry out law enforcement that has nothing to do with school or school safety,” Langlais wrote.

Will Lewiston Police Department participate in immigration enforcement at schools?

Lewiston Police Department officers will not carry out immigration enforcement on school grounds, according to Langlais. 

“LPD is not immigration enforcement,” Langlais wrote. “Together, we have worked to establish procedures that are aligned with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and other family protections of records and restrictive access for others on school grounds. We maintain our ability to carry out these procedures.”

Here are more questions and answers directly from Langlais’ letter Thursday:

What happens at bus stops?

Lewiston Public Schools’ obligation as a school is to pick up and drop off students at bus stops. It does not allow guests on buses unless it is specific to school safety and should be approved by the superintendent and Hudson Management. The school department’s responsibility does not extend beyond that.

Should we video if concerns arise?

Lewiston Public Schools has and maintains many cameras and its related footage. It is not procedure to record or disseminate interactions as part of the department’s work.

In addition, when footage captured is requested at the school or transportation level, it must be approved by the superintendent for access or dissemination. These are vetted for compliance, procedure and legal rights of those involved.

School officials ask staff and students not to record or take any action outside of their scope of responsibility.

Should we or can we do something after hours to support students and families?

Use of school facilities for non-school use or after hours has specific protocols. If staff have questions about facility use they should reach out to their immediate supervisor.

What can we do if students are absent?

The school department has already seen student absences and more are anticipated if there is a greater presence of immigration enforcement in the community.

“While these are family decisions, the department cannot provide alternative education at this time,” Langlais wrote. “Per statute, it is unable to excuse students for these absences but staff will continue to assess how they can hold students harmless while families make these tough decisions.”

The school department encourages families to communicate absences daily and have their students return as soon as possible.

“But again, these are family decisions,” Langlais wrote.

How are Lewiston students affected by changes to Temporary Protected Status?

The move to end the TPS program will likely face court challenges and could affect some of the several thousand Somalis living in Maine.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the White House said Somali nationals covered under the program must leave the U.S. by March 17. The U.S. first opened the temporary humanitarian program to people from Somalia in 1991 amid the outbreak of a civil war. 

School administrators have inquired with others to see who might be on the list of those with temporary protective status, Langlais wrote. There are some assumptions but it is uncertain right now how many, if any, in the community will be directly impacted by this change in criteria.

Will staffing be affected?

There are some staff who are concerned about any ICE operations in the area. Administrators will continue to keep a pulse on staffing levels and any employees who may have disruptions.

What about after-school and off-school grounds activities?

The school department will continue to monitor situations locally and will assess as information becomes available.

How can school staff and community members support each other?

The possibility of ICE raids targeting Somalis in Lewiston will put more stress on students, families, staff and the community.

“It is essential in these times that we remind ourselves of the value of the pilot staying calm,” he wrote. “In these cases, every staff member is a ‘pilot’ to others. Administrators pilot staff, areas and buildings. Teachers and support staff pilot classrooms, transitions and other spaces. Facilities, Nutrition, IT, HR, the Business Office and other staff pilot different areas of district operations.

“It takes all of us to stay calm and provide stability in times of uncertainty. If we do not stay calm, those around us will not. We must continue to operate with civility toward all, stick to policy, procedures, and, of course, be supportive of each other.”