With threats that federal immigration officials may seek information or even come to school grounds, education officials across the country, including Rhode Island, are developing plans to help protect students and their families.
Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) undertook raids shortly after Donald Trump was sworn in as president and rescinded guidelines that prevented immigration arrests in “sensitive” locations, including schools.
As of mid-afternoon today, there have been no reported raids on schools or churches.
“While there is reason to believe the risk of such instances may remain low, circumstances can change rapidly, and it is important to be prepared and assure families that a plan is in place,” said the Connecticut State Department of Education in guidance they disseminated to schools today.
Similar sentiments have been expressed by Rhode Island Department of Education officials.
WhatsUpNewp reached out to several school superintendents, and many were developing plans consistent with federal law, while fulfilling their mandate “to provide all children with access to a free public education regardless of their immigration status.”
There has been a significant rise in multi-language learners statewide, and particularly in school systems like Newport.
The director of a Providence charter school said, “the commissioner has provided resources to schools” and has “advised to be prepared, but keep a low profile. Agencies that were bold and potentially confrontational have regretted that stance we have been told. We will follow the law. However, the safety and security of our students is critical. We need to seek legal advice and stay secure in the event of a visit.”
That same school administrator advised parents and students that if they felt any “anxiety or fear related to immigration matters” they should contact school officials and reach out to other resources, like Progresso Latino, Dorcas International and The Immigrant Coalition of RI.
In Westerly, Superintendent of Schools Mark Garceau said the school system was sharing guidance from the Attorney General and Rhode Island Department of Education, while developing guidelines that inform the community of protections “under the law … ensuring student safety and well-being…”
In nearby Stonington, Connecticut, Superintendent Mary Anne Butler scheduled a “professional development session” with the school system’s lawyers for Thursday “to discuss our responsibilities and how we interact with various agencies.”
So far, raids have been relegated to major cities like Chicago and New York, and designed to root out undocumented immigrants accused of violent crimes, NBC News reported that of the some 1000 or more immigrants arrested on Sunday only 52 percent “were considered criminal arrests.”
On the Westerly Concerned Citizens site, a post that’s apparently circulating on social media provides ICE’s phone number and says “MAGA. Here is the phone number. If you know anyone, please report.” For the most part that post was met in Westerly with disdain.
In Texas, it was reported that “a teacher in Fort Worth, Texas is under investigation by district officials after allegedly asking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on social media to raid a public high school where they teach … and where most students don’t speak English.”
