On January 21, 2025, the Trump Administration ended a policy that previously protected sensitive locations—such as schools, hospitals, and churches—from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. This change means that ICE can now conduct arrests in places where vulnerable individuals, including undocumented immigrants, seek essential services. If you find yourself at a doctor's office, school, place of worship, public demonstration, or accessing social services, it is crucial to understand your rights and the responsibilities of staff at these institutions or organizations if ICE agents appear. 

If You Are at a Hospital or Doctor’s Office

If ICE agents enter a healthcare facility as part of an investigation, here are important points to know 

• Your Medical Privacy is Protected 

• • Healthcare providers cannot share your personal or medical information unless ICE presents a valid judicial warrant.  

• • Your rights are protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which limits the release of your information to law enforcement. 

• ICE Must Have a Valid Judicial Warrant
  • Before any information can be shared or action taken, ICE agents must provide a valid judicial warrant. 
• A valid warrant must meet the following criteria: 

• • Signed by a Judge: The warrant must bear the signature of a licensed judge. 

• • Detailed Information: It should include the patient’s full name, address, and the date of issuance. 

• • Complete Documentation: Any warrant missing these details is considered invalid and should not be honored. 

* An administrative warrant is not a judicial warrant.  

For Healthcare Staff: You Can Ask for Clarification 

Protecting Patient Privacy: Sharing patient information without a valid judicial order violates the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Always prioritize patient confidentiality and refuse to disclose information unless legally required. 

If ICE agents approach you directly, you have the right to ask for proof of their authority and to confirm whether they have a valid judicial order. Healthcare staff are trained to validate these documents, so they should make it a priority to not share your information unless legally required. 

If You Are at School  

If ICE agents visit a school, here is what students, families, and school staff should know: 

• Student Privacy is Protected:  

• • Just as with patient information, schools cannot share student records, including personal information or immigration status, without a valid judicial warrant or subpoena. 

• • These protections are outlined under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the Illinois School Student Records Act (ISSRA). 

• Valid Judicial Warrants Are Required:  
  • For ICE to access student information or remove a student from school grounds, they must present a judicial warrant.
• A valid warrant must meet the following criteria: 
  • Signed by a Judge: The warrant must bear the signature of a licensed judge. 
  • Detailed Information: It should include the student’s full name, school address, and the date of issuance. 
  • Complete Documentation: Any warrant missing these details is considered invalid and should not be honored. 

 * An administrative warrant is not a judicial warrant.  

Know the School’s Policies 

Schools often have specific policies in place to handle interactions with ICE. Staff members are trained to follow these guidelines to protect students. If you are a parent or guardian, ask your school about their policies so you know what to expect. 

If You Are at a Place of Worship (e.g., Churches, Synagogues, Mosques) 

If ICE agents visit a place of worship, here’s what religious leaders and congregants should know: 

• Valid Judicial Warrants Are Required:  
  • Churches are considered private areas, and, therefore, require ICE to present a judicial warrant to enter and arrest an individual. 

• A valid warrant must meet the following criteria: 

• • Signed by a Judge: The warrant must bear the signature of a licensed judge. 

• • Detailed Information: It must include the full name of the person of interest, the address of the place of worship, and the date it was issued. 

• • Complete Documentation: Any warrant missing these details is considered invalid and should not be honored. 

• Scope of the Warrant: Leaders should analyze the warrant to determine which areas can be searched. Private spaces like offices are typically off-limits without specific authorization. 

* An administrative warrant is not a judicial warrant. 

Considerations for Immigrant Congregants 

If ICE agents come into a place of worship in search of a specific individual, they may also inquire about the immigration status of others present if they suspect immigration violations. It is crucial for immigrants to know their rights, including the right to remain silent, the right to not answer questions, and the right to deny consent for a search unless agents have a judicial warrant or probable cause exists. 

Establish Protocols and Guidance for Congregants 

If religious leaders are aware that some congregants might be undocumented or are subject to deportation proceedings, it is essential to set up safety protocols and educate members about their rights. 

If you are at Public Demonstrations or Protests:  

While public demonstrations and protests were traditionally considered safe from ICE interference, they may no longer be off-limits. Because these events are often held in public spaces like sidewalks and parks, ICE agents are permitted to enter these areas if they are searching for a specific individual or if they have reasonable suspicion of immigration violations. Here is what protestors should know about ICE encounters at public demonstrations or protests:  

• Valid Judicial Warrants Are Required: 
  • For ICE to legally detain someone at a demonstration or protest, they must have a judicial warrant or probable cause.
•  A valid warrant must meet the following criteria: 
  • Signed by a Judge: The warrant must bear the signature of a licensed judge. 
  • Detailed Information: It must include the person of interest's full name, the location of the protest, and the date of issuance.
  • Complete Documentation: Any warrant missing these details is considered invalid and should not be honored. 

* An administrative warrant is not a judicial warrant. 

Important Considerations for Protesters: 

If ICE agents appear at a protest looking for a specific individual, they might also question other attendees about their immigration status if there is reasonable suspicion of immigration violations. Immigrants should remember their rights, including the right to remain silent, the right to not respond to questions about their immigration status, and the right to refuse a search unless a judicial warrant is presented, or probable cause exists.  

It is advisable for undocumented individuals to carefully consider the risks of attending protests that could potentially draw the attention of ICE officials. 

Safety Protocols for Organizers and Protestors: 

Organizers should prepare by setting safety measures and informing participants about their legal rights.  

If you are at a Courthouse:  

Although ICE generally avoided operations in or near courthouses that handle non-criminal matters like family or small claims court, a new policy now allows more leeway for immigration enforcement actions at these locations if they have reliable information suggesting a specific individual will be present.  

It is important to remember that courthouses are considered public spaces. Although ICE does not need a warrant to access public areas, they must have a valid judicial warrant or probable cause to arrest someone. Here is what court attendants should know about ICE encounters: 

• Valid Judicial Warrants Are Required:  
  • For ICE to target a specific person at a courthouse, they must present a valid judicial warrant or have probable cause.  
• A valid warrant must meet the following criteria: 
  • Signed by a Judge: The warrant must bear the signature of a licensed judge. 

• • Detailed Information: It should include the person’s full name, the address of the court, and the date of issuance. 

• • Complete Documentation: Any warrant missing these details is considered invalid and should not be honored.

* An administrative warrant is not a judicial warrant. 

Considerations for Family, Friends, and Witnesses 

When ICE agents enter a courthouse targeting a specific individual, they might also question the immigration status of others present, including family members, friends, or witnesses accompanying the person or involved in court proceedings. All individuals must be aware of their rights, including the right to remain silent, the right to refuse to answer questions, and the right to deny consent for a search unless the agents present a judicial warrant or probable cause exists. 

If You Are at a Shelter or Food Pantries: 

When accessing essential services like shelters and food pantries, it is important for everyone, especially immigrants, to understand their rights if ICE agents conduct enforcement activities in these areas. Here is what individuals should know about ICE encounters at shelters and food pantries:  

• Valid Judicial Warrants Are Required: 
  • For ICE agents to lawfully enter a shelter or food pantry to detain someone, they must have a judicial warrant. A valid warrant must meet the following criteria: 
•  A valid warrant must meet the following criteria: 
  • Signed by a Judge: The warrant must bear the signature of a licensed judge. 

• • Detailed Information: It should include the person’s full name, the address of the shelter or food pantry, and the date of issuance. 

• • Complete Documentation: Any warrant missing these details is considered invalid and should not be honored. 

* An administrative warrant is not a judicial warrant. 

Other Considerations 

As the Trump administration intensifies its scrutiny on programs and agencies that receive federal funding while aiding undocumented individuals, shelters and food pantries are increasingly at risk of becoming enforcement targets. This potential shift could impact the accessibility of essential services for vulnerable populations.  

Why This Information Matters 

The rollback of protections for sensitive locations introduces new challenges for individuals seeking healthcare, education, social services, religious support, and legal assistance. Understanding your rights across these settings is crucial to navigating these situations effectively. By knowing what ICE agents are legally permitted to do—and what they are not—you can better safeguard your privacy and the privacy of others. This knowledge empowers communities to protect their members and maintain essential services with confidence. 

Free Immigration Legal Aid for residents of Lake County and North Suburban Cook County 

North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC) provides free immigration legal aid to residents living in Lake County and north suburban Cook County. If you or someone you know is in need of immigration help, please contact us at 847737 4042 or email info@nslegalaid.org to schedule a consultation.