Florida school district pledges support for ICE. The community reacts

The Palm Beach Post | January 22, 2026

Public protest against controversial school board member Bridget Ziegler’s proposed policy for the Sarasota County Schools to publicly support officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lasted for hours earlier this week. Although residents and students expressed concerns about fearmongering and intimidation, the school board passed the resolution on a 3-2 vote.

Nearly 300 protestors gathered outside the first Sarasota County School Board meeting in 2026 to rally against the resolution. Their bullhorned chants could be heard inside the meeting, as 150 people waited inside for their turn to address the board directly — during what would become a 5-hour public comment section.

School board member attended protest against ICE

Ziegler said that she felt the resolution was necessary following the attendance and statements from School Board Member Tom Edwards at a Jan. 10 protest against ICE violence. The rally was one of thousands in the U.S. in the wake of the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a Minneapolis mother of three, who was shot by an ICE agent.

Since then, the Republican Party of Sarasota County has requested that Gov. Ron DeSantis remove Edwards. Ziegler, Marinelli and Rose criticized Edwards for expressing distrust in ICE while speaking at the ICE protest during the school board meeting.

“It’s essential to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law while prioritizing safety and education for our students in an era where misinformation and divisive rhetoric can undermine trust in institutions,” Ziegler said.

Resolution does not change district’s immigration policies

Under the school district’s existing policy, ICE must present a warrant, which the district’s legal counsel would have to verify before they can enter a Sarasota County school campus. The district also doesn’t track immigration status in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The resolution would not change Sarasota County Schools’ current ICE policy but would penalize employees or board members who interfere with ICE actions. Violations of the resolution could result in disciplinary action, including termination and possible criminal referral.

Protesters unimpressed by ‘political theater’

Public comments criticized Ziegler for engaging in political theater. They also asked the board to focus on more pressing issues facing the school district, including the threat of charter school takeover, budgetary cuts and supporting English Language Learners (ELL).

Dozens of students spoke during public comment to tell school board members about how the resolution is hollow in action but heavy in fear-mongering.