A teacher I know in my state is scared to teach after a student was removed from her classroom by ICE in front of the whole class last year. ICE first brought the child’s father in handcuffs into the school in front of other children and staff, presumably to get around laws that prevent them from taking the child directly without a parent present, then detained them both 

According to the teacher, this student cried to her-asking her teacher to help her and her dad. The teacher stood by, unable to do anything but try to comfort the student and the other students witnessing this horrifying ICE raid. 

We can’t have another school year that allows masked ICE agents into our schools, child care centers, and more. **Tell your Members of Congress to pass the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act.       

Fear can’t become our constant normal. 

What strikes me about an ICE raid like the one the teacher shared above in a place where children and families get care, learn, or worship is that it will impact every child and person witnessing it. Those children will never forget seeing their friend be taken by masked, armed people. They may never trust that they are safe at school again regardless of their status. How will that impact their learning, their growth, and everyone in that community? 

These are places that should feel and BE safe for children and families. 

So many of us, including United States citizens both Republican and Democrat, are scared. It’s not uncommon for me to talk to parents who are scared to speak their cultural language with their kids in public. Moms who send copies of passports to school “just in case.” People seeing business leaders, fellow parents, and more just disappear from one day to the other. 

Schools, child care centers, churches, and hospitals should be places where we can live safely. Full stop.

**Tell your Members of Congress that we deserve to feel and be safe. We need them to pass the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act.