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Schools share student data with ICE without parental consent in 100+ districts

100+ districts share Flock Safety footage without parental notification·February 10, 2026

Over 100 school districts share surveillance camera footage directly with ICE through Flock Safety's automated license plate reader network, according to documents obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The districts didn't notify parents that school camera data feeds into federal immigration enforcement databases. Flock Safety cameras capture license plates, vehicle descriptions, and timestamps of everyone entering or leaving school property. ICE agents access the database to track suspected undocumented immigrants and their families. Privacy advocates say the sharing violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects student information. School districts claim FERPA doesn't cover parking lot surveillance. The revelations come as ICE arrests at schools increased 400% since Trump took office. Education groups warn the surveillance will deter immigrant families from sending children to school.

Key facts

Electronic Frontier Foundation obtained contracts through public records requests showing over 100 school districts share Flock Safety camera data with ICE. The sharing began in late 2025 and early 2026.

Flock Safety operates automated license plate readers (ALPRs) that capture every vehicle entering or leaving school property. The system records license plates, make, model, color, and timestamps.

ICE agents access Flock's database without warrants to track vehicles associated with suspected undocumented immigrants. The system creates a searchable database of student and family movements.

None of the 100+ districts notified parents about ICE data sharing. EFF found no public board votes or policy discussions before the sharing began.

ICE arrests at or near schools increased 400% in January and February 2026 compared to the same period in 2024, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement data obtained by Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

Privacy advocates argue the sharing violates FERPA, which protects 'personally identifiable information from education records.' School districts claim parking lot surveillance isn't an education record.

The American Federation of Teachers warned the surveillance will cause immigrant families to keep children home from school. Chronic absenteeism already increased 12% in districts with known ICE enforcement activity.