Protesters want Union County School leaders to show written policy protecting immigrant children

MONROE, NC – There’s a push for Union County Public Schools to take a written stance on their policies for protecting immigrant children while they’re on school property. Dozens of protesters lined up outside the Union County School Board meeting Tuesday night to voice their opinions.

School officials say they have been in contact with law enforcement and there are no plans for federal immigration agents to come in schools at this time, but for some parents and they still want a written policy protecting kids. The topic of immigration is creating tension for students.

“They’re saying ‘haha’ you’re going back to where you were born, you’re going back to Mexico because they say Donald Trump is going to send us back and that makes me sad,” Alloine D, 3rd Grade Student said.

President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office triggering what he calls the largest mass deportation in history. Since then there have been hundreds of arrests every day.

“All these rules that the President is changing like, you know, day by day is just like, it’s just too much. I know there are rules that are being broken, and that’s my fear,” a parent who didn’t want to be identified said.

Protest organizers say they want the school board to produce a written policy that directs staff on how to interact with immigration officials.

“Make sure all students are safe, no matter their backgrounds, no matter their immigrants or not immigrants, all students should be the same in schools,” Nayra Valle protest Organizer and Union County Resident said.

A 1982 Supreme Court ruling secured free public education for immigrant students regardless of their status. Inside Tuesday’s board of education meeting there was discussion on both sides during the public comment period.

“Agreeing that illegal immigration needs to be addressed does not make anyone a bigot, it does not make them racist, nor does it make them perpetrators of marginalized groups. Just as they’re simply coming here looking for a safe life, we want the same,” Erin Muldoon said at the board meeting.

Per meeting policy, the board of education did not respond to public comments. In the superintendent’s report, he addressed the policy and asked the assistant superintendent of school support to elaborate.

“There’s no plan for [ICE] to come into our schools that’s always a last resort they try to connect with students, staff or families outside of schools. I will say, if law enforcement, they are great partners. If they asked us to, if they give us a legal, legitimate order, whatever we review that with our legal counsel, and we will comply with legal legitimate orders,” Jarrod McGraw, Assistant Superintendent Student Support said.

Students say they are supporting their immigrant classmates.

“It’s okay, keep your hopes up, it’s fine nothing bad will happen and if they do take you away we will try to bring you back,” Alloine D, 3rd Grader said.

A spokeswoman for Union County Public Schools sent WCCB this statement on their policy for complying with ICE.

“Union County Public Schools is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for students and employees. UCPS will adhere to local, state and federal laws and policies regarding immigration matters. Staff members are obligated to safeguard the confidentiality of any private information they access while performing duties.

Senior leaders and our general counsel will continue to follow updates related to this executive order to ensure compliance of the law.”