Robyn A. Klim, superintendent of Lawrence Township Public Schools, pushed back against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations occurring throughout Mercer County. Klim released this statement to assure that the Lawrence Township education community can expect protection against ICE.  Klim di spatched this communication on Jan. 16, 2026. Dear Lawrence Township Families, In light of recent reports regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Princeton yesterday, I want to reach out to you directly to reaffirm our district’s values and protocols. As your Superintendent, I assure you that the safety, well-being, and peace of mind of your children are my highest priorities. Our schools are more than just places of learning: they are safe havens where every student should feel secure, valued, and protected. We remain steadfastly committed to you and your family’s safety, and I want to be very clear about the protections and protocols we have in place. It is a fundamental principle of New Jersey Law and our district that every child has an unequivocal right to a public education, regardless of their immigration status, background. or identity. This right is protected by well-settled New Jersey Law and Supreme Court precedent. Furthermore, your child’s privacy is strictly guarded by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which prevents us from sharing personally identifiable information-including anything that might reveal immigration status–without parental consent. To ensure our schools remains a safe place for learning, we maintain very strict protocols regarding law enforcement: •Exclusive Local Partnership: The only law enforcement agency with which LawrenceTownship Public Schools (LTPS) maintains a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is the Lawrence Township Police Department. • Restrictions on Federal Agencies: Under the New Jersey Attorney General’s “Immigrant Trust Directive,” local officers are prohibited from participating in ICE civil enforcement operations or questioning individuals based solely on suspected immigration status. • Judicial Requirements: No other agencies-including other state authorities or federal authorities like ICE or Customs and Border Patrol (CBP)-are permitted to enter our premises or access student records unless they provide a valid judicial warrant or court order signed by a judge. Our administration and legal counsel are instructed to review the validity of any documentation before any access is granted. We have your children’s best interests at heart in everything we do. We value the trust you place in us every day, and we will continue to do everything within our power to support and protect our entire school community. If you have concerns or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your school principal or the central office. ...read more read less