Ironically, this week as we unfold the schoolwide civic engagement project, the community gets hit with news of more threats from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Our very own superintendent made a public service announcement in response to events over the weekend, while ICE moved closer to our district campuses, forcing administration to call for a Level 1 lockdown in order to keep students safe on Friday.
We do indeed live in dangerous times, but the message is clear, we are safest at school. Our school leadership is convinced that our teachers and staff are prepared to make school the safest place for students to be.
Mr. Lara stated in a meeting on Friday that these are difficult days and he is feeling the emotional impact, but he is certain that the best thing to know and do is for all of us to keep coming to school and for teachers to keep doing what they do best (teach kids). “You need to understand that the safest place to be is in school,” he said.
This week, Gilbert High School launched its schoolwide civic engagement project designed to guide students in the process of investigating the harms ICE raids are causing in our community. During this week’s third period Power Up lesson, students and teachers read an article first published April 2023 by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) which included data and research collected over the course of several years.
Recent research shows that immigrants have a history of contributing to the U.S. economy. Without immigrants, large and small companies alike would suffer the consequences of a decline in their workforce and a loss of profits. The U.S. economy as a whole would experience a decline in revenues. This hurts everyone.
Worse yet, due to the visible increase in immigration enforcement actions there are obvious socio-emotional effects that harm children, families, and the communities in which they live. There is research showing that there are potentially long-term psychological and emotional effects on children who have experienced separation from families.
The stress from the fear of witnessing or being targeted by ICE can affect anyone’s well being and how they may react to future events. It is possible that this situation is creating PTSD in children. This could lead to sudden triggers that might result in further violence or fear-based responses to situations that remind children of their experiences with regard to ICE raids.
As ICE continues to cause fear and stress among even the most vulnerable people, children and the elderly, it is best to remain level-headed and clear. Talk to someone. Reach out to local leaders. Know your rights. And stay in school. We have work to do.
For more information: https://www.auhsd.us/District/Department/14515-IMMIGRATION-RESOURCES.html
