Person Detained By Federal Immigration Officials During School Dropoff, Chicago Charter School Administrators Say
Acero Schools’ Soto High School and Idar Elementary
Principals at a charter school campus on Chicago’s South West side told families Wednesday that an adult who was in a vehicle with two students was detained by federal immigration enforcement officials during school dropoff.
Background
In a letter to families, the administration of Acero Schools’ Soto High School and Idar Elementary said they escorted the students into the building away from the scene, which took place at the corner of 51st and St. Louis Ave. in Gage Park.
“We understand how stressful and upsetting this is to our school communities,” the two principals, Elizabeth Obrzut and Nicolle Macias, wrote. “Focused support is being made available for those directly impacted by this event. Both schools will have additional social work support available for scholars.”
Incident Details
According to the Acero administration, agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) detained an adult in a vehicle outside the schools around 8:15 a.m. The school leaders said the agents did not attempt to enter either school.
Neither ICE nor ATF officials have confirmed the action.
Impacted Students and Community
Collectively, the two schools on the single campus serve more than 1,000 students and 98% identify as Hispanic.
Helena Stangle, Acero’s chief culture officer, said the campus staff followed the network’s protocols Wednesday and also contacted Chicago Public Schools Office of Safety and Security. She added that Acero administrative staff undergo “intensive training” on what to do in these scenarios and the network provides families with a “Civil Rights Resource Hub.”
Reaction and Support
Yesenia Lopez, the elected school board member representing District 7 where the schools are located, commended the Acero principals and school staff who stepped in to support the students “during such a traumatic moment.”
“No child should be afraid of going to school because they fear seeing their parents ambushed during school drop-offs,” Lopez said in a statement to Chalkbeat. “Our schools should be places of safety and learning, not fear and separation.”
Ald. Jeylu Gutierrez, whose ward includes the Acero schools, said the person arrested is a father of three kids, two at Idar and one at Soto. He was dropping the two younger kids off to school when he was arrested, she said. Gutierrez, who said she got in touch with the family, said she doesn’t know why the father was arrested.
Community Concerns
The incident during school dropoff Wednesday comes weeks after another Chicago elementary school in Back of the Yards on the city’s South West side mistook U.S, Secret Service agents for ICE, prompting a flurry of confusion and fear in the community.
Many of Chicago’s South West side neighborhoods are predominantly Latino and home to many immigrants. These communities, like many across the country, have been on high alert since the Trump administration took office and stepped up immigration enforcement.
Conclusion
The detention of an adult by federal immigration officials during school dropoff at a Chicago charter school highlights the ongoing concerns and fears among immigrant communities, particularly in predominantly Latino neighborhoods. The incident underscores the importance of schools providing support to students and families affected by such incidents.
FAQs
* When did the incident occur?
+ The incident occurred on Wednesday during school dropoff.
* How many students are affected?
+ The two schools on the single campus serve more than 1,000 students, with 98% identifying as Hispanic.
* What is the reaction of the school administration and community?
+ The school administration has provided support to students and families affected by the incident, and community leaders have expressed concern and solidarity with the families.
* What is the current immigration policy?
+ The Trump administration’s policy no longer treats schools and child care centers as “sensitive” or “protected” locations where immigration enforcement cannot take place unless there is an immediate danger to the public.
