Community leaders in Baltimore County are demanding urgent action from school officials after disturbing social media posts surfaced last week, allegedly from a local teacher, offering to report undocumented students to immigration authorities. The incident has sent shockwaves through the immigrant community, raising fears about safety and trust within the school system.
Immigrant Families on Edge as Fear Spreads
For many students and families in Baltimore County, schools have always been considered safe spaces. That sense of security has been deeply shaken after reports emerged that a teacher from Overlea High School may have reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), offering to identify undocumented students.
Lucas Cunha, an Essex business owner and former undocumented immigrant, voiced the outrage and fear rippling through the community. “This isn’t just about one teacher,” he said during a school board meeting. “He offered to hand over the names of students to ICE – young people he was entrusted to protect.”
The posts in question allegedly came from a now-deleted account on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @RennerTraining. Screenshots show messages tagging ICE’s official account, stating, “If you want the names to investigate families to find illegals, let me know in dm [direct message]. I’ll give names and school. All in Md.”
School Officials Silent, Community Leaders Speak Out
Despite the uproar, Baltimore County school officials have yet to issue a direct response. The Teachers Association of Baltimore County acknowledged the allegations in a Facebook post, saying it was “aware of alleged actions by an educator at Overlea High School last week,” but provided no further details.
The association also pointed to federal student privacy protections under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which restricts the disclosure of student records. “Immigration issues may seem complicated,” the statement read, “but some things are simple: children do not decide where and how their parents choose to move.”
That reassurance has done little to ease concerns among advocacy groups and families, who argue that the county must take stronger action to prevent future incidents.
Calls for Stronger Policies to Protect Students
Advocacy groups are now pressuring the Baltimore County school board to adopt clearer policies to prevent ICE from accessing school resources and student information.
Crisaly De Los Santos, the Central Maryland and Baltimore director for CASA, emphasized the urgent need for reform during a virtual event on Tuesday. “Families should feel confident that when their children are in schools, they’re safe and they’re protected by teachers and administrators who they trust to care for them,” she said. “But in light of recent events, we have seen how this basic expectation has not been met.”
She laid out key demands for the school board:
- A formal policy explicitly blocking ICE from accessing student records and school resources.
- Clear guidelines to ensure educators and staff understand privacy laws regarding undocumented students.
- Public reassurances from Baltimore County Public Schools that all students, regardless of immigration status, will be protected.
A Breach of Trust With Lasting Consequences
For students, the incident has not just raised concerns about potential deportation—it has shattered the trust they once had in their schools.
“It’s terrifying,” said one undocumented high school student who asked to remain anonymous. “We’ve always heard rumors, but seeing an actual teacher say they’d do this… it makes you question everything.”
Local leaders stress that beyond policy changes, restoring faith in the education system will require transparency and accountability.
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