Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero has reiterated the district’s policy of not allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials on school campuses in response to the Trump administration’s plans to crack down on illegal immigration. Marrero’s memo, dated January 14, 2025, outlines the school policy and procedures for dealing with federal immigration enforcement activities. The district is required to limit access to student documents under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and students are entitled to a public education regardless of their immigration status.
The district has seen an influx of new arrival students over the past two years, leading to strain on the education system and additional funding from the state to support these students. Colorado recently passed a bipartisan bill to distribute funds to school districts for new arrival students, but the exact amount received by DPS is unclear. The influx of new students has helped to offset declining enrollment in the district.
Denver has been dealing with a crisis involving a large number of immigrants, many of whom crossed the border illegally from South and Central America. This crisis has cost the city more than $80 million, with much of the burden falling on Denver taxpayers. Trump’s administration has signaled plans for mass deportations, particularly targeting criminal elements like the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which has been involved in drug and human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, and money laundering.
Under the current “sensitive locations policy,” federal agents typically avoid enforcement actions in places like schools and churches, but Trump has indicated plans to revoke this policy. Marrero’s memo to school leaders provides guidance on how to handle visits from federal officials and emphasizes the importance of upholding the rights and privacy of all students, regardless of their immigration status.
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