Did ICE agents target Bellingham schools last week? Here’s what we know

After rumors circulated social media over the weekend suggesting possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in and around Bellingham’s public schools, the district is confirming the posts were just that — rumors.

“There has been no ICE activity on Bellingham school properties,” Bellingham Public Schools spokesperson Dana Smith said in a statement to The Bellingham Herald.

Smith said two unrelated incidents — one involving police activity in the Columbia neighborhood on Friday and another involving a 10-minute “Hold” safety protocol at Shuksan Middle School to keep the halls clear to support students — may have created confusion.

“These two things seem to have combined into misinformation about ICE activity at or near our schools. The schools involved have been connecting directly with concerned families and answering their questions,” Smith told The Herald.

No ICE agents had visited Bellingham Public Schools as of Tuesday, Jan. 20, according to Smith. However, the district prepared and provided guidance last year for its school leadership and offices.

That guidance includes:

• All visitors must abide by the district’s visitor policy and procedure 4200, which are designed to prevent disruption.
• All visitors must report to a school’s main office or reception area.
• No visitors may have access beyond a main office or reception area without permission of the school.
• No visitors may disrupt educational proceedings of a school.
• No visitor is entitled to information about or access to a student unless they have proper documentation showing that they are entitled to that information.
• District office personnel will take the lead in all interactions with requests of immigration officers or other law enforcement.
• Under a very limited set of circumstances, ICE agents may visit schools and request access to students. To enter a school past the main office or reception area, officials would need to present a judicial warrant, which is issued by a judge or court. It is unlikely that a judicial warrant would be issued for a child, according to the district.

This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 5:00 AM.

Rachel Showalter

The Bellingham Herald

360-715-2212

Rachel Showalter graduated Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2019 with a degree in journalism. She spent nearly four years working in radio, TV and broadcast on the West Coast of California before joining The Bellingham Herald in August 2022. She lives in Bellingham.