Kankakee Schools Promise to Block ICE Agents Following Trump’s Executive Order

0
Snow day school bus parked.
-Advertisement-

Kankakee, IL – The Kankakee School District 111 superintendent has assured families that ICE agents will not enter schools following an executive order signed last week by President Trump. The order reversed federal policies that previously restricted immigration enforcement at sensitive locations like schools and churches.

Superintendent Dr. Teresa A. Lance issued a letter Monday emphasizing the district’s commitment to protecting students. “Without giving cause for angst, I gave the students my word that we would not allow ICE to enter our schools and remove our students. To read the President’s EO is heart wrenching!” Lance wrote, urging staff to refrain from releasing immigration-related data.

The executive order, part of a broader immigration crackdown, empowers ICE and Customs and Border Protection to conduct operations in places that had been protected since 2011. The new directive, signed Friday, eliminates barriers meant to safeguard undocumented individuals from deportation while at schools, churches, or hospitals.

Immigration advocates have raised concerns about the impact on families, adding it could deter immigrant families from accessing education and essential services.

Dr. Lance’s letter reaffirmed the district’s commitment to being a safe haven for all students, including those from immigrant families. The district serves students from over ten countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, and Haiti. Resources for families, including support groups like United We Dream, were also highlighted.

Kankakee families are urged to prioritize student attendance while the district continues to consult legal counsel to protect its students. Lance concluded her message with a call for unity: “Let’s be the hope because hope starts here.”

Be sure to follow us on Instagram & like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.