Omaha has always been a home for immigrants from around the world. From Poland to Mexico and Germany to Guatemala, the city has historically served as a mini Ellis Island of the Midwest. This, however, has changed in recent months.

Nationally, the office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began increasing arrests of immgrants in 2025, and the Omaha metro area was not immune.

For example, fears in Omaha were stoked when federal officials detained more than 80 workers in a high-profile raid at Glenn Valley Foods in June 2025. Glenn Valley Foods did not respond to a request for comment when contacted by email.

The South High School community also felt this rise in arrests and the fears related to ICE raids in the area. South High School serves a large immigrant population, which means many of its students are potentially affected by the government’s new policies.

South High School Principal Jodi Pesek said the South High School community has also felt the wave of anxiety immigrants around the country have felt.

Pesek, who has served as South’s principal since fall 2020, had a one-word answer when asked how these political ramifications have impacted South’s community: “Immensely.”

Pesek said that “we’ve experienced a lot fewer students coming to South High School as newcomers to the country.” In the past, South had more students from other countries.

While many students and families fear being taken from their homes due to recent immigration policy changes, there are district policies in place should the situation occur at school. If federal officials do come to the building, OPS has specific rules they would follow that protect students.

According to Pesek, no federal officials have approached South High School to date.

While her obligations force her to make difficult decisions when it comes to planning for these situations, Pesek made it clear that her “loyalties, my efforts, are about our kids and our families.”

When contacted, Bridget Blevins, OPS administrator of external relations, said the OPS Board of Education has restated that the district’s 2017 resolution on district practices related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement remains in effect.

The statement reads: “We care deeply about every student we serve. We are committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for young people. We know and understand that community disruptions impact our families. We remain focused on teaching and learning with our students.”

The complete resolution regarding district practices related to ICE can be found at Douglas County School District No. 0001.

If a family needs additional support, they should reach out to their school, which can share relevant community resources, Blevins added.

Three South High School students who did not wish to use their names shared their experiences on the recent political situation regarding immigration.

“I know people close to me and my family that have been taken, and it does make me a little scared,” one stated.

“It’s made me and my family afraid to go out sometimes,” said another.

And, “It’s made it hard on my mom because she was supposed to get her papers, but these events made it hard for her to do that. For a while, we couldn’t go out in public at all,” one explained.

Despite the uncertainty, South High School students and families are persevering, and life at South High School continues as usual.

Do you have thoughts on the current federal immigration policy changes? Leave a comment below.