Horry County employees warned about how to deal with ICE if federal agents come to schools
Horry County Schools staff is being advised by its administration to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if federal agents do come to their schools.
The district does not have a “specific policy” in reference to ICE, but “generally speaking, we comply with local, state and federal laws,” schools spokesperson Lisa Bourcier said in an email.
In a meeting with principals last week, district officials discussed how schools should respond if ICE agents were to come with warrants, according to information provided to The Sun News. The principals were at a regular meeting that is designed for training, planning and collaboration.
School administration was informed that if federal agents do come to a school, they are not to get in the way of the investigation as that can be considered a federal crime and employees could be arrested, according to the provided information.
If an employee is arrested, Horry County Schools will not offer support to that employee, officials allegedly told principals.
When asked if there has been any discussions with schools on what they should do if ICE shows up or if the district wouldn’t support an employee arrested by ICE, Bourcier replied that “we advise staff to comply with local, state and federal laws.”
Horry County Schools’ staff attorney Kenneth Generette reiterated Bourcier’s statement about complying with federal law.
“As a public school system, we understand the responsibility to educate all students,” Generette said by email. “As always, we will remain focused on the educational interests of our students, families, and community. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and engage appropriately and supportively with federal and local officials.”
Mike Frederick, the executive director of safety and security for Horry County Schools, spoke at the meeting regarding ICE. Frederick said Monday that while there’s no written policy, if a federal agent shows his credentials, employees should follow the law.
“None of us, myself included, are allowed to break the law,” Frederick said.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson released a statement Feb. 6, 2025, regarding ICE operations in the state that said “any individual who engages in illegal activities, whether by obstructing law enforcement, interfering with investigations, or attempting to disrupt lawful immigration enforcement efforts, will face prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”
Bourcier had said previously that Horry County Schools has not had any contact with ICE.
The district is prohibited by federal law from inquiring about the legal status of a student, parent, guardian or family member or requiring documentation that could reveal information regarding their immigration status.
Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, school districts must provide all school-aged children with public education and equal access to public schools, regardless of race, national origin or immigration status, Bourcier noted.
Nearly 12% of Myrtle Beach’s 39,697 population are foreign-born, according to 2023 figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. In Horry County, which has a population of more than 397,000, that number is 6.6%. Foreign-born is defined as those who are a U.S. citizen by naturalization or not a U.S. citizen, which could include those who are undocumented.
This story was originally published February 10, 2025 at 1:21 PM.
