In light of recent executive orders regarding federal immigration policies, administrators aim to inform the students, parents, and teachers of LT’s position on providing an inclusive and safe environment for everyone. 

President Donald Trump has signed several executive orders on immigration and declared a national emergency on Jan. 20 and 21, 2025. The executive orders and declaration cover the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, border security, birthright citizenship, the asylum and refugee program, and “enhanced vetting” of visa applications. For those students who could possibly be at risk due to these executive orders, LT has a number of protocols and policies that are designed to protect their federal and state rights. 

“As is the case every day, it is essential that we are all committed to building safety and adhere to the visitor protocols that have been established by our Building Leadership Team in collaboration with a school safety expert,” LT Superintendent Brian Waterman said. “Keep all external doors locked to not let in any guests—all guests, including government agents or law enforcement, must check in at the main entrance and are required to wear an orange visitor lanyard.”

Undocumented students are not required to disclose their legal status with LT due to possible changes in law that would require a school to give up that information, Waterman said. It’s important to note that these students have their right to education regardless of legal status; however, there is always still a risk of attending school, as this would give U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a possible chance of making an arrest outside of or even on school grounds. LT’s policies, however, are meant to try and prevent any arrests from taking place on school property. 

“I feel like there aren’t enough words in the dictionary to explain how I feel,” an anonymous LT student who may be affected by these policies said in an interview with LION. “Heartbroken? Betrayed? Disturbed? Confused? It’s really a mix of emotions. My family and so many others have worked incredibly hard to achieve everything they have in their lives at this very moment. Now, people’s lives are being ruined. They are being sent back to places where they have no life, no stability, and nothing to live off of. Their hard work and achievements are being stripped away—simply because someone has the power to do so. How is that fair? How can anyone justify having families being torn apart and destroying dreams like this?”

If the district, or an employee of the district, finds out that a student’s parent or guardian has been detained by ICE, the district/employee should immediately notify the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and adhere to any DCFS directives regarding the student, Waterman said. Visit the LT Staff Equity Page and the LT Community Equity Page for additional resources.

“It’s been hard for me to feel completely safe or like I truly belong at school; fearing what could happen to my family or the people I care about is always in the back of my mind, and sometimes it makes it difficult to focus on learning when I’m worried that everything I’ve worked so hard for could be taken away,” the anonymous LT student said. “What makes it even harder is the lack of open conversations about these issues—I often feel like I have no one to turn to because my immediate friends have never experienced something like this, which makes it challenging for me to talk about my fears and be understood.”

Another critical aspect of this issue is potentially an increase in discrimination of immigrants that could even take place in the school’s hallways. As tensions intensify, fueled by a series of executive orders designed to target immigrant communities, some students may start to feel targeted or threatened.

“The largest minority population at our school is Latinos, and when something as important as this isn’t properly communicated to students like us, it sends the message that it’s not viewed as a serious matter—as if our day-to-day lives couldn’t possibly be affected,” the anonymous LT student said. “Some students might not be personally impacted, but their family members could be, and believe there have never been enough resources available for students like myself.”

The LT website does offer resources for immigrant students and families, but this isn’t advocated for enough, said the anonymous LT student. The majority of students who could be affected by this aren’t even aware of the resources available to them because of how little—if at all—it’s talked about.

“Imagine growing up in an entirely different country, learning a new language, embracing a new culture, and becoming a hardworking, law-abiding resident—only for that same country you grew to love, for all the opportunities it provided you, to repay you with hatred,” the anonymous LT student said. “Having to go out in public and constantly face hostility because of the color of your skin or because you spoke Spanish while shopping with your family is humiliating and demeaning. People need to be more sensitive—we are human, and we have feelings too.” 

Schools are not just places for academic learning, said the anonymous LT student. They’re a second home, a community where students should feel seen, valued, and protected.

“Acknowledgment, access to resources, representation, and empathy are essential,” the anonymous LT student said. “Recognizing the challenges students face and providing safe spaces and support can make a huge difference. Representation helps students feel heard and fosters a sense of pride and belonging. But most importantly, empathy is crucial. Too often, students say insensitive things without realizing their impact. At a time when so many of us immigrant students fear losing everything we have worked for, education should be a source of strength and hope—a place where our efforts are recognized, our struggles understood, and our dreams protected.”