Smiley Raced to a Providence School to Confront ICE — It Wasn’t ICE
GoLocalProv News Team
Smiley Raced to a Providence School to Confront ICE — It Wasn’t ICE
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley raced to a city school this week, believing ICE officials were on the premises.
Except, they weren’t.
Smiley has been a strong opponent of ICE, going as far as to issue a ban on ICE arrests in the city - READ MORE BELOW.
When reached for comment on Friday as to why the Mayor went to the school believing ICE to be there, his spokesperson provided the following statement;
“On Wednesday morning, the City was informed of a report that federal officials were on site at Webster Elementary School attempting to enter the building. The school temporarily went into secure status and Providence Police responded to assess and verify the unidentified individuals.
Mayor Smiley joined Providence Public School Department leadership at the scene to support the safety of the students and staff and to ensure all appropriate policies were being upheld. Following the response, PPD was informed that the activity was the State Police.”
When asked why the State Police were at the school, the Mayor's office refused to answer and directed questions to the State Police.
The State Police did not respond to request for comment at time of publication.
Latest for ICE, Smiley, and City
In January, Smiley issued an executive order banning federal agents from making arrests on City of Providence property.
The Mayor could not answer what would happen if federal agents ignored his executive order, however.
READ: Smiley Issues Anti-ICE Edict, But Can’t Answer Basic Questions
In December 2025, GoLocal first reported that the guardian of a student at Hope High School in Providence was reportedly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials outside the school, according to the head of a volunteer organization.