Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been increasing its presence in LA. Assistant principal Wendy Perez, Counselor Laura Gutierrez, and Community Schools Coordinator Liliana Garcia met with students on February 3rd to discuss ICE.
President Donald Trump has directed ICE agents to deport more immigrants, making many students and parents scared to even do everyday things. It’s been around a year since the ICE surge started, and since then they have deported more than one thousand people of color.
“To me it feels like a personal attack to my or our community,” Gutierrez said. “These type of situations causes a lot of emotions like terror and disappointment. For me as well since I also am a daughter of immigrant parents.”
Due to ICE being active around the area for the last few months, Gutierrez feels the terror and a lot of emotions, mostly because it is part of her community.
“I hope that you guys feel safe [at school] regardless of what’s happening outside,” Gutierrez said.
Although dealing with all that has been happening is a lot for students, teachers and counselors hope that we feel safe on school campus.
“Parents sometimes do talk to me as well as students,” Garcia said. “We brought in a lawyer [for a talk] to help your parents. We also provide websites and other resources to help your parents and know their rights.”
Garcia understands students’ and parents’ fear, since she talks to them. She also provides support and help for both, parents and students.
“Just because you’re a middle school student, doesn’t mean you’re opinion doesn’t matter,” Perez said. “However I cannot give you permission to walk out as a type of protest.”
Teachers and staff do support us, but they want keep us safe. Therefore, teachers and staff could support us in other ways.
“If ICE were ever waiting outside at the time of dismissal, we would know by students’ parents telling us about suspicious activity that they see,” Perez said. “We don’t want to put people’s parents at risk, as well as our students. We would hold dismissal until we have confirmation that it is clear and safe.”
School staff have procedures that they could follow in order to keep not only students safe but also their parents.
“We have to speak up for others that are unable to do so,” Perez said. “Since [right now] the government isn’t protecting everyone like they are human beings.”
