U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents tried to enter a Chicago elementary school Friday morning but were stopped at the door, according to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials. The agents were not allowed inside or permitted to speak with anyone at Hamline Elementary School, which is located in the city’s West Side neighborhood.

Around 11:15 a.m., ICE officers arrived at the school. Staff quickly followed CPS protocols, keeping the agents outside and reaching out to the district’s legal and security teams for guidance. “The ICE agents were not allowed into the school and were not permitted to speak to any students or staff members,” said CPS Chief Education Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova during a press conference. She stressed that the school’s actions were in line with the Illinois Trust Act and Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance, which aim to protect immigrant communities.

Hamline Principal Natasha Ortega praised her team for their quick response. “We will not open our doors for ICE,” Ortega said. “We are here to protect our children and make sure they have access to an excellent education.”

This incident comes just days after the Department of Homeland Security announced the end of two policies that previously restricted ICE from making arrests in “sensitive locations” like schools and churches. Critics argue that this change could create fear in immigrant communities, potentially discouraging families from sending their kids to school or seeking medical care.

ICE has not yet commented on the situation. The agency has faced criticism in the past for its enforcement actions near schools and other protected spaces, with advocates warning that such moves could harm vulnerable populations.

For now, CPS officials remain firm in their commitment to safeguarding students and families, ensuring that schools remain safe spaces for learning.