A recent executive order allows for the possibility of immigration control to enter schools and churches, causing safety concerns among RHS students and families.
After his inauguration, President Trump signed numerous executive orders. One of the most impactful for students is his allowance for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enter safe zones, such as churches and schools, which has changed how students feel about their safety in the classroom.
“We don’t feel safe anywhere,” said an RHS student anonymously.
Previous to this executive order, a 2011 ICE policy allowed for ‘safe zones’ in communities. This order, 100029.2, stated “enforcement actions do not occur at nor are focused on sensitive locations such as schools and churches.” After the executive order was signed, the Department of Homeland Security issued a directive that “rescinded” the 2011 guidance, essentially eliminating safe zones.
“Before [students] felt a little more secure, more safe – all they had to do was go to school, get on the bus, and go home. But now that ICE is allowed into the schools, [students] fear for raids,” said Odvin De Jesus Samayoa, 11.
“We think about not coming to school at all, out of fear that ICE would take us, that they may be waiting at the schools,” a student said anonymously.
Some students are afraid to come to school, scared that their parents may not be home when they arrive.
“It’s hard for us to come to school, knowing that our families and parents may be taken, ” said Greilin Cruz Castillo, 11.
Many students have hopes and dreams that they came to this country to accomplish. They push forward with the hope of making their families proud.
“I just want my family to be proud of me, not just to be here, but to make myself a better life,” said Cruz Castillo.
This feeling holds true not only over Cruz Castillo, but also for De Jesus Samoya.
“I want to make my parents proud. They’ve always been proud of me for everything that I do, for being so brave, and always fighting in life,” said De Jesus Samoya.
Immigrants across the nation participated in “A Day Without Immigrants,” Feb. 3, a protest in response to the recent immigration policy changes. The national protest impacted people in the community, with lower school attendance and closed businesses.
Scott, a student who participated in the protest, had gone to support those in her family who are immigrants from the Dominican Republic and Mexico. She said she believes the treatment of immigrants is unfair.
Some students wish there was more understanding from their community about the difficulties immigrants are experiencing.
“I’d like to say that people need to stop generalizing. Just because one person did something bad doesn’t mean that everyone else is the same. Not everyone in the world is here for the same reasons…No matter if they’re white or, Latino, we have the right to study, we have the right to work and to be happy. They’re taking away your dreams, they’re taking away your life,” said Cruz Castillo.
A local community alliance named AIRE Arkansas is working towards building a supportive community, by helping verify ICE sightings, offering advice about how to interact with officers and listing places to go in case of an emergency.
