Community Support for Students Amidst ICE Concerns
As the new school year commenced in Washington, neighbors, volunteers, and parents accompanied students on the first day to safeguard them from President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. In the nation’s capital, groups of escorts, shared vehicles, and community gatherings were organized due to fear that immigration agents might target school premises.
Helena Bonde’s Support for Immigrant Families
Thirty-six-year-old resident Helena Bonde, in her wheelchair, visited a local elementary school to support immigrant families reportedly terrified by raids. “Everyone wanted to help in a concrete and useful way, making families feel safer,” Bonde told AFP.
ICE’s Stance on School Actions
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated they wouldn’t take action against Washington schools on Monday. However, they didn’t rule out conducting welfare checks for undocumented and unaccompanied children within school facilities, as per the Trump administration’s claim that these children need rescuing from sex trafficking and forced labor networks.
Todd Lyons, ICE’s chief, assured NBC News that no raids or sweeps would occur on Monday at schools. “But our goal… is to locate the 300,000 undocumented children and minors who arrived here during the last administration,” he said.
“It’s About Your Appearance”
Selene, a Mexican-American community organizer, contemplated not sending her daughter to school due to fear that even legally residing Latino families face persecution and detention. “It’s not about the immigration status; it’s about your appearance. If you look Latino on the street, you’re a target,” Selene said, declining to give her last name to AFP.
Encouraged by neighbors, Selene accompanied her daughter to school and urged others to do the same. “The community is here to support you; don’t be afraid, and we’ll continue doing great work. We’ll keep helping our community members. Our children need to feel safe, and together we can achieve it,” she said.
Fear Keeps Some Students Home
Despite community support, some families remained too scared. Blanca, a middle-aged Salvadoran immigrant, approached the school entrance carrying a sign that read “Every day is an opportunity” in both English and Spanish.
“Some families have kept their children home because they’re afraid. We’re scared to go out; we don’t know what will happen to us. We don’t feel safe,” Blanca said, refusing to disclose her last name.
Mandatory Education Amidst Uncertainty
According to the Institute on Tax and Economic Policy, Washington hosted approximately 25,000 undocumented immigrants in 2023. Although schools don’t collect student citizenship information, a Washington Post report from 2022 cited city officials estimating between 3,000 and 4,000 undocumented students in Washington schools.
In California, home to the largest U.S. immigrant population, ICE raids led to a sudden increase in school absences, according to the National Education Association. Jeffrey Freitas, president of the California Federation of Teachers, cited a 1982 Supreme Court ruling that states children cannot be denied public school education based on immigration status.
“What they’re doing is inhumane. They’re trying to instill fear in these communities,” Freitas told AFP. “Education is mandatory for all U.S. students, and that’s what we must respect.”
Legal vs. Illegal Presence in Schools
Lora Ries from the conservative Heritage Foundation confirmed that “regardless of their immigration status, children can attend public schools according to the Supreme Court’s decision and face no risks.” However, she added, “If someone is here illegally, they must comply with the law.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why are people accompanying students to school? A: To protect students from potential immigration raids and provide reassurance to immigrant families.
- Q: What is ICE’s stance on school actions? A: ICE stated they wouldn’t take action against Washington schools on Monday but didn’t rule out welfare checks for undocumented children within school facilities.
- Q: How many undocumented students are estimated to be in Washington schools? A: Between 3,000 and 4,000 undocumented students are estimated to be in Washington schools.
- Q: What is the legal stance on undocumented students attending public schools? A: A 1982 Supreme Court ruling states that children cannot be denied public school education based on immigration status.
- Q: How do schools address the presence of undocumented students? A: Schools generally do not collect information about students’ immigration status, focusing on providing education to all students regardless of their legal standing.
