Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek has publicly expressed support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducting operations in schools, stating that all individuals in the U.S. illegally should be deported, regardless of age or location. His remarks come as the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 8, which could mandate sheriffs in counties with populations over 100,000 to seek formal partnerships with ICE through the 287(g) program. This program allows local law enforcement to assist in federal immigration enforcement.
Approximately 111,000 undocumented children are enrolled in Texas public schools. Critics, including the Texas State Teachers Association, warn that immigration enforcement in schools would create fear, disrupt education, and potentially result in wrongful deportations, including of U.S. citizens. Legal precedent from the 1982 Supreme Court case Plyer v. Doe ensures public education access for all children regardless of immigration status. Senate Bill 8 now advances to the Texas House of Representatives for further consideration.
Reference:
Rahman, Billal. “Texas Sheriff Wants to Assist ICE In Schools, Deport ‘Regardless of Age’” Newsweek. May 1, 2025.
