I am a proud child of an immigrant mother. While she now has her citizenship, many in my community do not. These people are my friends, my support system, my family, and the thought of potentially losing any of them is heart-wrenching. We are living in a time where the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in our neighborhoods can decide a person’s fate overnight. It is a crisis that needs addressing, and while I may not wield much power individually, I will do everything I can to make a difference.

One critical step we can take is to ensure that families are aware of ICE activity in our areas, particularly when it is near places like our school, a cornerstone of our community. Our school administration has a responsibility to protect all its students and their parents, many of whom live in constant fear of being separated due to their immigration status. It’s crucial that the administration takes action and provides timely notification to students and their families when ICE is present nearby.

Currently, there is little to no communication regarding such events, and parents are left in the dark, making it difficult for them to make informed decisions about their children’s safety. According to a report by the American Psychological Association, the presence of ICE can cause immense stress and anxiety for children and families, disrupting their education and well-being.

Implementing a notification system would allow families to plan accordingly, supporting them in choosing whether to send their children to school on certain days or to keep them home, safe and united. Schools could use existing systems such as phone calls, emails, or text messages to promptly inform families of ICE operations nearby.

By signing this petition, you are standing with us to protect our school community and advocate for its right to safety and information. Let us join together to urge our high school administration to establish a transparent and reliable way to inform families about ICE presence, paving the path to a community where every family member is valued and safe from fear of deportation. Please sign and help us take this vital step.