STAMFORD — After the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump on Monday, January 20, raids by federal agents, including individuals with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), began nationwide. Now, local leaders are speaking out and raising awareness about the potential impact on Stamford schools and the community at large.
On Thursday, January 23, Brianna Gurciullo of the Stamford Advocate reported on the formal process if ICE tries to visit a school in the Stamford Public Schools district.
“ICE officers are supposed to contact Superintendent Tamu Lucero’s office or the school district’s legal counsel in person if they intend to enter school buildings, according to the information sent to the Board of Education.
If officers show up at a school without notice, school staff are expected to direct them to Lucero or legal counsel. If the officers refuse, staff should ask them to wait for the superintendent to arrive, confirm the officers’ credentials, document why they are requesting access to a school building and ask for a signed judge’s order.”
Once word spread about ICE being in Stamford, the city commented on Tuesday, January 28, with a statement from the Office of Public Safety, Health, and Welfare.
“At approximately 8:00 am on January 28, the City of Stamford Public Safety Dispatch Center received a call from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents notifying them that ICE would have a presence in Stamford this morning,” the statement read. “The Stamford Police Department was not involved and did not have any additional information.”
Subsequently, a letter was sent to the Stamford community by Mayor Caroline Simmons, Board of Education President Michael Hyman, and Superintendent Tamu Lucero on Tuesday.
“We are writing to reaffirm that Stamford Public Schools (SPS) welcomes all resident children into our schools without consideration of race, religion, creed, gender, physical disability, intellectual disability, socioeconomic status, or immigration status,” Simmons, Hyman, and Lucero wrote in part of the letter. “Stamford Public Schools is committed to providing all children with an education that cultivates productive habits of mind, body and heart, and our goal is to do so in a warm and welcoming environment where every child is seen, heard, and valued.”
Stamford Board of Education member Gabriela Koc shared information on social media on Tuesday regarding the process if ICE shows up at a Stamford public school.
“It’s confirmed that ICE is in Stamford today. Please feel free to share the following information to concerned school community members,” Koc wrote in the caption. “These are guidelines communicated to school staff. At this time, legal experts in Connecticut believe there is a low likelihood that ICE agents will attempt to enter schools with a valid judicial warrant.”
Also on Tuesday, Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker released formal guidance for academic communities statewide.
“Our schools are primarily places for learning and growth,” Governor Lamont said. “It is important for our students and families to feel welcome and protected by their schools so educators can focus on teaching and students can focus on learning.”
The state’s guidance is available here.
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