One day into the second Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security lifted legal protections preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting immigration raids at “sensitive areas,” including churches, hospitals, and schools. Schools across the country are now bracing for potential ICE raids, threatening the sanctuary that educational institutions are supposed to provide — Princeton is no exception. The stated purpose of ICE raids is to capture violent criminals, but how often do violent criminals lurk among children? According to a study conducted by professors Jacob Kirksey and Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj, heightened immigration enforcement in schools has a detrimental effect on the learning environment, as it creates a pervasive climate of fear. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a psychological theory that organizes the fulfillment of human needs in a hierarchical order, states that the most basic requirements such as access to food, rest, and safety must be met before any others. As a result, students who constantly fear for their safety are unable to focus on higher learning. This directly leads to student absenteeism, declines in academic performance, and overall physiological distress. Even students not directly impacted by recent immigration regulations can still experience its negative effects — ICE does not just target violent criminals and undocumented immigrants. Three U.S. citizens were recently detained during a raid at Ocean Seafood Depot in Newark. The Trump administration has made it clear that they will stop at nothing to deport as many people as possible. Extending such initiatives to sanctuaries like schools causes an unsafe and unstable learning environment that threatens all students. Public education should be accessible and welcoming to all students, regardless of immigration status. For people fleeing their home countries, access to these increasingly fleeting educational opportunities is the main reason to immigrate here. The United States is built upon the idea that anyone can achieve success. Equitable access to education lays the foundation for a more prosperous future. Now, this very foundation is being threatened. Big change starts small — PPS has already taken action to protect its students and their families. Community nights hosted at PMS to help vulnerable communities know their rights in the face of immigration enforcement foster a safer environment. Even simply updating students’ emergency contacts on PowerSchool can be a step towards ensuring safety in dire situations. However, it is also our responsibility as a community to support our fellow students and families. Princeton residents should reach out to the municipality’s human services to offer help, assist in funding legal counseling, and spread awareness to as many people as possible. Informing people of their right to refuse illegal searches and record evidence of transgressions can help families stay together. The power of community lies in people’s ability to come together and protect their most vulnerable members.