A Chicago elementary school entered a soft lockdown on Friday after administrators were alerted to reports of ICE agents in the Wicker Park neighborhood, according to NBC 5 Chicago. The incident occurred at A.N. Pritzker School, where doors and windows were locked for the remainder of the day. Students and staff were kept inside until dismissal as a precautionary measure.
In a message sent to families, the school’s principal said the decision was made to prioritize the safety and emotional well-being of students and staff. “I want to take a moment to speak to each of you with care and concern. It has been brought to our attention that ICE agents have been reported in our neighborhood. As your principal, my top priority is your safety and well-being,” the administrator wrote on Friday.
The principal emphasized that the soft lockdown was not an emergency, but a precaution due to community concerns.
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Principal Reassures Parents and Students During Lockdown
In the same statement, the principal clarified that the lockdown was “a safety precaution and not an actual emergency.” Teachers were instructed to keep classroom doors locked and limit movement within the building until the end of the school day.
The school also asked parents to notify teachers if someone other than the usual guardian would be picking up their child at dismissal. “Please know that these steps are being taken to ensure you feel safe and supported while you are here at school,” the principal added in their message.
Staff reportedly worked to keep the day as normal as possible for students while ensuring that all safety protocols were followed.
The lockdown lasted until dismissal, after which all doors were reopened and students were released without incident.
Department of Homeland Security Responds to Reports
After the lockdown drew attention online, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement denying that any federal immigration enforcement agents were in the area at the time.
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According to DHS, there were no ICE agents near A.N. Pritzker School, and officials reiterated that enforcement actions near schools are “extremely rare.”
The agency stated that it had no record of any active operation or surveillance taking place in the Wicker Park neighborhood on Friday.