The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has refuted claims that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are conducting immigration enforcement at elementary schools. DHS clarified that ICE agents, specifically from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), were at schools for non-enforcement purposes, particularly to conduct welfare checks on unaccompanied children to ensure their safety. The presence of ICE agents at schools like HD Cooke, Russel, and Lillian Elementary was linked to investigations related to the well-being of children, not immigration enforcement. DHS emphasized its commitment to safeguarding children from exploitation and abuse, highlighting the efforts under President Trump's administration to reunite unaccompanied children with their families. Nearly 5,000 unaccompanied children have been reunited with relatives or guardians in recent months, with efforts credited to cooperation between DHS and the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

DHS has denied reports suggesting that ICE agents are removing children from schools, emphasizing that their presence is not connected to immigration enforcement operations.

ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has been involved in welfare checks at elementary schools, focusing on the safety of unaccompanied children who might be at risk of exploitation or abuse.

Specific incidents at HD Cooke, Russel, and Lillian Elementary Schools involved HSI agents conducting welfare investigations, with DHS asserting these actions were unrelated to immigration enforcement.

DHS has made concerted efforts to ensure the safety of children arriving unaccompanied at the U.S. border, aligning with the administration's policy to protect children from trafficking and exploitation.

Under the current administration, nearly 5,000 unaccompanied children have been successfully reunited with family members or safe guardians, a process supported by DHS and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.