Donald Trump will be sworn into office for his second term as president Monday. Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, has pledged Chicago will be “ground zero” for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants.
Trump promised that on his first day in office, he will “launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out.”
The Herald-News reached out to schools in Will County to get their comments on how they plan to react to such actions and how these actions could affect students.
Plainfield School District 202
District 202 in Plainfield “is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in its education programs and activities and employment,” according to the District 202 website.
This means “equal educational, vocational and extracurricular opportunities shall be available for all students without regard to color, race, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, gender identity, status of being homeless, immigration status, order of protection status, actual or potential marital or prenatal status including pregnancy,” according to the website.
“The Migrant Education Program is a federally funded program authorized under Title I, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act,” according to a statement released by Linda Taylor, director of community relations for District 202.
“District 202’s policy addresses migrant students and curriculum, and the policy’s content is controlled by state and federal laws,” according to the statement. “The policy doesn’t address deportations.”
Troy School District 30-C
Troy School District 30-C’s primary focus “is ensuring that every student has access to a supportive, inclusive and consistent learning environment,” according to a statement from Sarah Wells, director of communications at Troy School District 30-C.
“We believe that every child deserves a high-quality education, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to this mission for all students,” according to the statement.
To that end, District 30-C facilitates students’ smooth transitions to new schools or educational programs; provides resources to maintain students' academic progress; and ensures “open lines of communication between families, staff and community resources,” according to the statement.
“We are committed to supporting all our students and their families, including those who may be navigating unique challenges, such as concerns related to immigration,” according to the statement. “Our goal is to provide continuity of learning, no matter the circumstances, just as we do for any student transitioning in or out of the district.”
Joliet Township High School District 204
District 204 said “it respects the rights of every child to access a free public K-12 education, and the district welcomes and supports all students.” If students are experiencing concerns or trauma, they can seek support from school social workers, psychologists or counselors.JTHS also encourages families to use community resources such as the Spanish Community Center in Joliet and the Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project in Bolingbrook as organizations that may provide low-cost or free workshops, consultations and/or services related to immigration, including DACA, citizenship, detainment and more.
Joliet Public Schools District 86
“We will continue to follow whatever federal and state guidelines, legal requirements and mandates that pertain to us now and in the future,” the district said in a written statement.
Lockport Township High School District 205
At Lockport Township High School, the administration noted that its priority is the education and well-being of students, and that its policies prohibit it from reporting the immigration status of students or their families.
“The Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education fully supports Policy 7:10, which is a aligned with both state and federal laws,” the district said in a statement released by Director of Public Relations Jeanette Castillo. “The board policy ensures that ‘equal educational and extracurricular opportunities shall be available for all students without regard to color, race, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, gender identity, status of being homeless, immigration status, order of protection status, actual or potential marital or parental status including pregnancy. Further, the district will not knowingly enter into agreements with any entity or individual that discriminates against students on the basis of sex or other protected status.”
Castillo also noted that based on state and federal laws, “the district is prohibited from enforcing actions regarding the immigration status of students or parents, nor does LTHS D-205 report such information to any agencies. It is not the role of a public high school to grant access to state or local law enforcement agencies in collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or engage in joint efforts to investigate, detain or arrest individuals for federal immigration law violations unless there is a court-issued warrant, which will be reviewed by appropriate personnel.
“Our primary focus is providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and families.”
Castillo noted that so far, no issues have come up from staff or community families regarding immigration concerns, but she advised that the district keeps a list of inclusive community resources that is available to families who may need “support beyond what is available within our school district.”
Students and families also are encouraged to reach out to school counselors and social workers if they are in need of assistance or have any concerns or questions.
For more information on school policies on immigration, visit the Illinois State Board of Education’s material on the Migrant Education Program in Illinois at isbe.net/Pages/Migrant-Education-Program.aspx.