FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
November 5, 2025

CONTACT: 
Graciela González
Director of Communications
ggonzalez@latinopolicyforum.org
312-728-4291

CHICAGO — This morning, federal agents entered a day care center when children were present to pursue a teacher, forcibly pulled her out, and handcuffed and detained her. The incident occurred at the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center in the Roscoe Village neighborhood. Just last week, the Illinois General Assembly passed HB 1312, an omnibus bill of protections for immigrants and their families in light of aggressive and unlawful immigration enforcement, which includes protections for licensed childcare centers, such as Rayito de Sol.

“Federal agents pursuing and detaining a day care teacher inside a center with babies and children is beyond the pale,” said Latino Policy Forum President and CEO, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero. “Imagine the fear these children must have felt to see one of their beloved teachers violently pulled out of their school by masked men. The unthinkable is the reality for our community members, families, and children. Our community is shocked to its core. ICE does not belong anywhere in our communities and much less in spaces as sensitive as day care centers and schools where parents trust their children will be safe. This must stop now.”

HB 1312 builds on non-regulatory guidance released by the Department of Early Childhood and the Department of Child and Family Services in October. The law would require licensed day care centers to adopt policies to protect their facilities and families from unlawful immigration enforcement. The legislation is currently pending awaiting the Governor’s signature and has an effective date of January 1st.

ECE facilities should ensure they have a written Plan of Action that is available and accessible and…

• Establishes a point-person who will handle and respond to any requests related to immigration enforcement.
• Establishes procedures for seeking consent from parents before releasing a child’s personal information.
• Notifies families of immigration enforcement activity occurring at the center, within a reasonable time.
• Develops clear instructions and a script for staff for how to interact with federal agents:
  • Instructions should include that staff request the federal officials to provide identification and official judicial warrants and time to consult colleagues and an attorney.
• Determines how the center will actively communicate with caregivers and include the Emergency Family Plan for the child and ensures the childcare late pickup policy is up-to-date. Outlines immediate training support for staff on its policies. Any policy on interacting with immigration enforcement personnel should be shared with all staff at the day care facility.

“To our ECE providers, caregivers, and centers, it is critical that you implement procedures to protect families and workers now,” added Tortolero. “What happened at Rayito de Sol this morning has made clear that this is urgent and cannot wait.”

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About the Latino Policy Forum
The Latino Policy Forum is the only organization in the Chicago area that facilitates the involvement of Latinos at all levels of public decision-making. The Forum conducts analysis to inform, influence and lead. Its goals are to improve education outcomes, advocate for affordable housing, promote just immigration policies and engage diverse sectors of the community, with an understanding that advancing Latinos advances a shared future. For more information, visit latinopolicyforum.org.