Under Trumps’ Administration, ICE, also known as the U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement, now have the authority to infiltrate schools, churches, and other public places which were previously secure areas for immigrants. Due to the mass deportations, public schools around the U.S. are holding meetings to address them as well as set policies on how to take action if they were to get a visit from ICE, but regardless of immigration status, students will not be denied the opportunity to receive free public education.
According to Austin ISD officials, they will be monitoring any legal changes regarding this matter, and how it could affect student “experience”. Although schools are doing what they can to keep students safe under the law, there’s a growing fear between concerned parents who are directly affected by the ICE raids as well as their students that attend public schools. Even students who might not be directly affected by the raids themselves experience fear and a potential secondary trauma for their close friends. “This doesn’t affect me as much as it did in 2016, because my parents are legal now, but I know it affects my friends so I’m still worried and stressed about it,” said 8th grader Angie Perez.
How are the ICE raids impacting students here at Lively MS? “There’s been a decrease in students’ attendance and I think it’s important to understand that it’s multifaceted. The reasons are fear, anxiety, and parents having less confidence in leaving the house. So, that means less access to work, to food, to housing, and not having a plan in case they get picked up. I’ve heard moms say, ‘What’ll I do if they pick me up outside and I have the babies in the car?’ ” said Jessica Zamarripa, Lively’s Parent Support Specialist.
Additionally, what do our students think about the ICE raids, and what our school is doing to prevent them? “I think the ICE raids are stupid because we can’t deport people on stolen land. I have a cousin who works as a school nurse, she has students who were here on medical VISAs, and they’ve been deported by ICE. ICE raided her school and deported those students, and it is not fair or just,” said 8th grader Minh Dao.
“Honestly, I think the school is doing everything that it can to prevent the ICE raids, but I think it comes down to Trump and all of the policies he’s making, as well as further policies that’ll affect the ICE raids,” said 7th grader Diya Paruchuri.
“I don’t think it’s right because it’s racial profiling, so if someone doesn’t have a driver’s license they can get deported because it doesn’t show that they’re a legal citizen. It’s a heavy topic, I’m Hispanic and I really don’t think it’s right that they take kids’ parents away knowing that they need them, and then those kids just go to the adoption system,” said 8th grader Alazne Martinez.
It’s evident that the mass deportations are affecting students not just at Lively, but as well as from other schools throughout the country. Not only has this topic been impacting students, but it’s also caused them to form strong opinions about the deportations. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, students walking around the track were protesting against the ICE raids here at Lively. Undoubtedly, protests such as this one will continue at many other schools, and students will continue to stand up for what they believe in.
