Executive Summary
- Clarkston Community Schools in Michigan implemented a district-wide shelter-in-place for over an hour on Wednesday.
- The precautionary measure was prompted by a nearby search for two individuals conducted by federal immigration agents with assistance from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
- Superintendent Shawn Ryan confirmed the district acted on the advice of the Sheriff’s Office to secure all buildings.
- The order was lifted after law enforcement gave an “all-clear,” and normal school operations resumed.
Clarkston Community Schools in Oakland County, Michigan, lifted a district-wide shelter-in-place order on Wednesday after it was implemented for just over an hour as a precaution due to nearby activity by federal immigration enforcement agents. The order was initiated around 10 a.m. after the district was advised by law enforcement to secure its buildings.
In an email to families, Superintendent Shawn Ryan stated that the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office had alerted him to the situation. A lieutenant informed the district that the sheriff’s office was assisting federal agents in a search for two individuals in the vicinity of Sashabaw and Clarkston Roads and recommended securing school buildings as a safety measure.
Families were first notified of the shelter-in-place via a text message and received a subsequent message about an hour later confirming that schools had resumed normal classes. The superintendent confirmed that the Sheriff’s Office had given the district an “all-clear” to lift the order.
District spokeswoman Kelly Allen clarified that a shelter-in-place order is distinct from a lockdown. During the order, students and staff were able to continue classes and move within the buildings, but no one was permitted to enter or exit the facilities. She also noted that staff are trained to manage such situations and support students who may become upset.
Regional Context
The incident occurs amid what the source material described as increased federal immigration enforcement efforts in southeast Michigan under the Trump Administration. In a separate event earlier in the week in nearby Oak Park, a U.S. border protection agent reportedly used a stun gun on a woman accused of being in the country illegally during an encounter where officials stated the agent was assaulted by the woman and a man.
Following the all-clear from law enforcement, Clarkston schools returned to their normal operational schedule. It is important to note that in any related enforcement actions, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.