Hi everyone! Here are my latest updates as of 04/01/26:
- My meeting with Congressman David Schweikert's (R) legislative aide, Brigette Maggio, has been rescheduled for April 6th due to scheduling conflicts. I am very appreciative that she is taking the time to meet with me to discuss my 3-mile student safety buffer zone proposal.
- I have a meeting scheduled with El Mirage City Council Member Ryan Eldridge on April 7th to discuss how this potential ICE detention center has affected students and residents in El Mirage.
- I sent a follow up email to Senator Ruben Gallego’s (D) senior homeland security advisor, Zack Linick, asking if the Surprise contract with GardaWorld was corruptly awarded by Corey Lewandowski, and if so, whether Congress can pause the opening until an investigation is completed.
- I submitted a meeting request with AZ Attorney General, Kris Mayes. I would like to know if she can sue the DHS on behalf of the students of Dysart High School for endangering our education, wellbeing, and safety. Many students have told me they will be switching to online classes when this opens due to fears of being stopped on their way to/from school and the additional dangers that this facility will bring to us (extra traffic, protests, unwanted attention, etc.)
- I submitted a meeting request with Governor Katie Hobbs (D) to discuss the state's safety plans for students that go to school near this detention center.
- I sent a meeting request to Congressman Paul Gosar’s (R) staff member, Penny Pew, asking for a follow-up meeting with me and our Student Body President, Dayna. I also requested that Rep Paul Gosar be in attendance either in-person or virtually.
- I still have not received a response back from Surprise Mayor Sartor. I have sent him three meeting requests and he has not replied back to any of them, even after he personally told me to send him a request. The Mayor's press conference on Monday made his position clear: the safety of students at Dysart High School, Dysart Middle School, and El Mirage Elementary School, as well as nearby residents and businesses, is not a priority for him. He has accepted every promise that DHS told him.
- I am looking forward to my meeting with Surprise City Councilmembers Chris Judd, Jack Hastings, and Nick Haney on April 9th. I am very grateful that they are taking the time to meet with me and our Student Body President, Dayna.
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THE LATEST NEWS:
- For those of you who may not know, the private prison company, GardaWorld, was awarded the DHS contract for the Surprise ICE detention center. This company has no experience running an ICE detention center. They have only provided guards at Alligator Alcatraz but have never actually ran a facility before. Click here to read the Washington Post article.
- AP News reported today that DHS has paused all new ICE detention center purchases due to possible corruption by Corey Lewandowski with how DHS contracts were awarded. Click here to read the AP article.
- The Phoenix New Times ran my Op-Ed on Monday. Click here to read it.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Please call or send a message to Rep. Paul Gosar, Sen. Mark Kelly, Sen. Ruben Gallego, and Rep. David Schweikert. Tell them to introduce a federal bill for a 3-mile student safety buffer zone between ICE detention centers and K-12 schools. Here is their contact info:
Congressman Paul Gosar (R): Send him a message or call his office at 623-707-0530
Senator Ruben Gallego (D): Send him a message or call his office at 480-697-3600
Senator Mark Kelly (D): Send him a message or call his office at 602-671-7901
Congressman David Schweikert (R): Send him a message or call his office at 480-946-2411
Thank you to everyone for your support. Please continue sharing my 3-mile safety buffer zone petition with everyone you know!
Sincerely,
Cali Overs
Student Body Vice President
Dysart High School