TAMPA, Fla. — Bay area school districts issued a guidance about how to respond to immigration enforcement in schools.
It involves following policies already in place, like staying with students while they are questioned and contacting their parents. Also, contacting a school district lawyer if Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents seek access to campus.
At this week’s school board meetings, parents spoke up about what they want to see happen.
Drew Vaughn, a Florida State PTA Board member, shared his perspective.
“Every minute that we can slow down ICE is a minute a kid gets to stay in school," he said. "Every week that we slow down ICE is a week that a family gets to stay together. We can make it so parents like me are not sitting in the car line, worried about whether their children will be there when they pull up.
"As a group, you have the power to pass policies that can be implemented in these schools. You can’t change the laws, but you can pass policy.”
Hugo, who is only being identified by his first name to protect his identity, was brought to the U.S. at the age of 2.
He graduated from a Pinellas County school last year, and says he’s worried what could happen to his sibling if ICE agents are allowed in schools.
“They’re just kids, just like any other kid, any American kid, innocent,” he said. “My biggest fear for my siblings, I’d be scared that they’d feel alone without my parents or me.”
That is the reality for many undocumented families in the country.
According to our partners at the Tampa Bay Times, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties issued memos to their schools about immigration.
Additionally, the Polk County School District issued a statement on their policy.
“At this time, Polk County Schools has not received any directives or guidance from authorities," the statement said. "We intend to operate as normal and follow all state and federal laws."
Hugo said the uncertainty is creating an even bigger fear for families with loved ones who are undocumented.
“They all know someone or love someone that are undocumented, and they’re not bad people," he said. "They’re just looking to move forward, build something for themselves and their family."
Hugo is encouraging people to speak up, specifically at school board meetings. He’s hoping schools are proactive about issues like allowing immigration enforcement to take place on campus.
“As long as everybody stands together, I mean, I feel like everybody can make a change,” he said.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri was in Tallahassee this week. He helped craft the immigration bill that state lawmakers were discussing. He said the enforcement focus is on criminals, not schools.
“Its people who committed crimes, people who are a public safety threat or national security threat, and people who have been removed but come back in," he said. "Could there be some collateral? Sure, but there is no discussion that I’ve had with anybody about going into schools, churches, etc."
Officials with the Florida Department of Education have said they will cooperate with the federal effort.
