New National Parents Union Poll Shows Bipartisan Support for Keeping Immigration Enforcement Away From Schools

“Parents are telling Congress to draw a bright, enforceable line around sensitive locations because when fear shows up at school, learning doesn’t.”

Majorities across party lines – 59% of Republicans, 90% of Democrats, and 78% of Independents – say expanded ICE operations could disrupt their children’s education.

Washington, D.C. – February 19, 2026 – New National Parents Union polling finds overwhelming bipartisan support for keeping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) away from schools and daily school routines so students can stay focused on learning. In response, the National Parents Union is urging Congress to include strong “sensitive locations” protections in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill to keep ICE activity out of school communities.

“Parents are clear: the carpool line is not a checkpoint,” said Keri Rodrigues, President of the National Parents Union. “Parents are telling Congress to draw a bright, enforceable line around sensitive locations because when fear shows up at school, learning doesn’t.”

“This isn’t about politics, it’s about whether kids get to class,” Rodrigues added. “If DHS allows enforcement anywhere near drop-off, pick-up, bus stops, or school zones, it sends one message to families: school is not safe. That is how you drive absenteeism, anxiety, and chaos straight into the classroom.”

Parents want DHS to keep enforcement away from school routines and student life:

75% are concerned increased ICE operations could disrupt their children’s education (51% very concerned)
72% oppose ICE conducting operations in school zones
70% oppose detaining undocumented parents at school during drop-off or pick-up
70% oppose detaining undocumented parents and students at school bus stops

Parents also reject fear-based tactics:

71% oppose stopping people based on appearance or language
76% oppose entering homes without a judicial warrant
78% oppose stopping minors on the way to or from school and detaining them if they lack proof of citizenship or legal status

Even Republican parents draw clear boundaries:

While views vary by party, Republican parents still oppose the most extreme and disruptive tactics:

59% are concerned increased ICE operations would disrupt their children’s education
61% oppose stopping minors to/from school and detaining them without proof
56% oppose entering homes without a judicial warrant

“DHS can enforce the law without turning our school zones into fear zones,” Rodrigues continued. “If they want safer communities and stronger schools, the answer is simple: protect sensitive locations and keep kids in class.”

For more information or to schedule an interview with NPU leadership, contact: [email protected].

National Parents Union Survey
Survey of N= 1,511 parents of public school students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade nationwide using non-probability sampling.
Field Dates: February 12–18, 2026
Margin of Error: ± 2.6 Percentage Points
Click here for toplines.

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
With more than 1,800 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/