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 Worcester Public School Bus Drivers Directed Not to Comply With ICE Agents

NOTES BETWEEN PRINTED EDITIONS

 Worcester Public School Bus Drivers Directed Not to Comply With ICE Agents

by Kristen Brissette
Barnstable Broadside

Director of Transportation Michael Freeman and Assistant Director of Transportation Wayne Cardwell of the Worcester Public School Transportation Department sent a memo to Worcester school bus drivers directing them not to leave students at a bus stop if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are present.

The memo states:

“A recent notification has gone out regarding ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents potentially being at bus stops.  If you are aware of any agents being at a stop, DO NOT let any student off the bus, and contact the Transportation Office immediately.”

It is not known what the Transportation Office will do with students if notified by a driver since Freeman and Cardwell were unable to be reached for an explanation.

The memo was sent as a result of President Trump overturning previous rules that prevented ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from conducting enforcement in public schools.  A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security stated, “This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens including murderers and rapists who have illegally come into our country.  Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.  The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.  The Biden-Harris Administration abused the humanitarian parole program to indiscriminately allow 1.5 million migrants to enter our country.”

In a January 21, 2025 letter, Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez wrote that the school will not work with ICE, and the school will protect students from immigration agents.  “WPS is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety, well-being, and rights of all our children,” Monárrez said.

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