What Can CPS Schools and Parents Do in the Face of Donald Trump’s Mass Deportation Threat?
CPS Schools’ Stance on Immigration Agents
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez has assured parents without legal status that their children are safe from immigration agents inside their classrooms. According to Martinez, if federal agents show up at school, principals should not let them engage with anyone, except in rare cases where they have a signed criminal arrest warrant.
CPS does not allow immigration agents into schools without a warrant, and the district has three lawyers ready to review any warrants or other paperwork and advise staff.
Should I Send My Children to School?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but officials stress that once students are inside schools, they are safe. Schools do not ask for or know the legal status of their students, so there is no possibility that they could or would provide a list of students to federal authorities.
"We’ll never give them access to information," Martinez said.
However, there is still a risk traveling to and from school. Community advocates stress that drivers should ensure law enforcement has no reason to stop them by keeping their cars in good repair and having all necessary stickers.
Teachers should be "very, very aware and be very empathetic of the fears that parents have," Martinez said. They should also be understanding if parents do not feel comfortable sending their children to school, just as they should be understanding of other absent students.
How Should Parents without Legal Status Prepare for the Possibility of Deportation?
Parents should ensure their emergency contacts at their child’s school are up to date – and that the contacts are aware and available. "Let’s say I get stopped and detained. Who will pick up my kids? Who can I trust with my kids? That is the biggest fear, what makes their stomach hurt," said Any Huamani, who works for the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council and has been leading "Know Your Rights" sessions around the city.
In addition to that initial call, Huamani said parents need to think through who is the right person to put in charge of their children in case they are detained for a period of time.
What Should I Tell My Children about the Deportation Threat?
"You want to be able to tell them, ‘We’re going to do everything we can to keep you safe, but we want you to know, if we can’t be here, that so-and-so is going to take care of you, and they’re going to make sure that you and I can reunite at the soonest availability,’" said Rebecca Ford-Paz, clinical child psychologist and co-director of the Forensic Assessment for Immigration Relief Clinic at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
That’s why the emergency plan should be in place before talking to children. Especially for older children, it’s best for them to hear about it from parents first.
Ford-Paz also stressed the importance of not isolating children. "We want kids to continue to be able to go to school and play and see their friends and celebrate cultural tradition," she said. "That is the kind of thing that promotes a sense of calm and peace and equilibrium, even in the face of chaos."
Conclusion
In the face of Donald Trump’s mass deportation threat, it’s crucial for CPS schools and parents to be prepared. By understanding the school’s stance on immigration agents, preparing for the possibility of deportation, and having an emergency plan in place, parents can feel more confident and secure.
FAQs
- What is the school’s policy on immigration agents?
- CPS does not allow immigration agents into schools without a warrant, and the district has three lawyers ready to review any warrants or other paperwork and advise staff.
- Can I send my child to school?
- Officials stress that once students are inside schools, they are safe. However, there is still a risk traveling to and from school, and parents should ensure law enforcement has no reason to stop them.
- How can I prepare for the possibility of deportation?
- Parents should ensure their emergency contacts at their child’s school are up to date, and identify the right person to put in charge of their children in case they are detained for a period of time.
- What should I tell my child about the deportation threat?
- It’s best to have an emergency plan in place before talking to children, and to reassure them that they will be safe and that a trusted person will take care of them if the parents are unable to be present.
