An internal email has been retracted after Mobile Public School Systems employee provided directives for keeping children safe if an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid occurred on a school campus.

In the email obtained by WKRG, the worker advised other school employees to let families know they will not be penalized if their children are kept at home.

The employee then provides a list of things to do in case ICE comes to a school campus including to, “do no harm,” “be a helper” and “text me on my cell if ICE shows up anywhere closeby.”

Terrence Mixon, MCPSS Assistant Superintendent, provided a statement saying the email was retracted and said it was sent without MCPSS Leadership approval.

“This is now a personnel matter that will be handled according to our policies and procedure,” Mixon said.

Mixon added that MCPSS will follow federal mandates if federal agents were to come onto any of the school systems campuses.

“As always, MCPSS will follow all federal mandates, to include dealing with federal agents when and if they come onto any of our campuses,” Mixon said.

“All students are to report to school daily, and no authorization has been given stating that students will not be penalized for unexcused absences. We will continue to follow our normal enrollment and withdrawal procedures through our Student Support Services Division.”

The anxiety around whether ICE will conduct raids or operations at schools was fueled by President Donald Trump’s administration rescinding a policy that created “protected areas” from immigration authorities.

This designation restricted agencies from conducting raids and arresting people at schools, churches and other protected locations.

The Department of Homeland Security announced the policy change stating in a press release, “criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said Monday that he would help ICE, “in any way he can,” as the agency begins ramping up its nationwide immigration crackdown.

AL.com contacted ICE for comment but have not received a response.