Sensitive Locations Policy Rescinded
The Department of Homeland Security has formally rescinded the longstanding sensitive locations policy that previously shielded schools, churches, hospitals, and other community spaces from immigration enforcement actions. The policy, first established in 2011 and expanded in 2021, had instructed ICE and CBP officers to generally avoid enforcement actions at these locations absent exigent circumstances or prior supervisory approval.
Acting DHS Secretary has stated that the rescission is necessary to ensure that enforcement officers have full operational discretion and that no location serves as a blanket safe harbor. The change applies to all ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers nationwide.
What This Means in Practice
Without the sensitive locations policy, ICE officers may now conduct enforcement operations at K-12 schools and school bus stops, colleges and universities, places of worship (churches, mosques, synagogues, temples), hospitals, urgent care clinics, and medical facilities, disaster relief centers and food banks, public demonstrations and parades, and weddings, funerals, and community gatherings. However, enforcement at these locations requires specific intelligence about a targeted individual — mass sweeps at schools and churches have not been authorized as a matter of policy (though individual field offices retain discretion).
State and Local Response
Several states have enacted or are considering legislation to independently protect sensitive locations within their jurisdictions. California, Illinois, New York, and Washington have passed laws restricting local law enforcement cooperation with ICE at schools and hospitals. Some school districts have independently adopted policies prohibiting ICE access without a judicial warrant, and many churches have publicly declared themselves sanctuaries.
Protecting Yourself and Your Community
Know your rights: you are not required to open the door to ICE without a judicial warrant (signed by a federal judge, not an administrative ICE warrant). You have the right to remain silent. Carry emergency contact information for an immigration attorney at all times. If you witness ICE activity at a sensitive location, document it and report to local legal aid organizations and the ACLU. Prepare a family emergency plan in case a family member is detained — see our immigration bond guide for information about securing release.