In a world where educators grapple with dwindling resources and federal policies, the last thing they need is Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) showing up at their doors. Yet, that’s precisely what unfolded recently at an elementary school in Queens, New York, where an ICE officer came looking for a fourth-grade boy. Yes, you read that right—children are now on the radar of federal immigration officials.
On May 10, at P.S. 58 in Maspeth, the school’s administration made the brave decision to turn the ICE agent away. “We’re investigating this incident and will be providing schools with updated protocols and additional training,” said New York City Schools Chancellor, Linda Torres. “Every student, no matter their immigration status, is welcome in NYC public schools, and we’ll do everything we can to protect our students and their families.”
According to New York state law, students aged 5 to 21 are entitled to a free public education, irrespective of their immigration status. This event marked the first time ICE had attempted to access a public school in New York since the city established its policy of barring federal agents without warrants. “We are not allowing ICE agents into the building; parents are understandably anxious right now,” stated Mayor James Malone in March. “We want them to know that their children are safe.”
A representative from U.S. Customs and Immigration Services explained that the purpose of the visit was to confirm enrollment details regarding the student in relation to an immigration benefits request. However, parents expressed discomfort at the thought of ICE entering schools. One mother shared her concerns with local media, stating, “It leaves a negative impact on kids’ experiences at school. They shouldn’t be talking to kids.”
City officials echoed these sentiments. “As a mother, I am deeply worried and disturbed by this attempt to reach any child within our schools,” remarked Kings County President Annabelle Reed. “The officials at P.S. 58 did the right thing by following city protocols and protecting their students.”
In the early days of the current administration, immigration arrests surged by over 30%, with the arrest of immigrants without criminal records more than doubling. Among those affected were a mother arrested during a routine check-in with ICE and a father apprehended while dropping his kids off at school. Now, with ICE actively looking for children in educational settings, the situation feels absurd and cruel.
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In summary, the recent incident at a Queens elementary school highlights the complexities and challenges facing educators today. With ICE targeting schools, parents are left feeling uneasy about their children’s safety. City officials are taking measures to ensure that students are protected, reinforcing the message that all children deserve a safe learning environment, regardless of immigration status.