ICE Chicago today: CTU says immigration crackdown impacting attendance at CPS, schools are safe
Members of the Chicago Teachers Union say the immigration crackdown is impacting attendance at Chicago Public Schools.
They say some children are afraid to attend because of their parents' immigration status.
Taking advantage of another nice fall day, CPS students Thursday spent their lunch break outside.
A sign says schools are a safe zone from weapons, drugs and gangs. CPS leadership wants parents to know schools are also safe from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"We want them to know that the school is the safest place for their children. We're making provisions to ensure their safety to the greatest extent possible to and from school," CPS CEO Macquline King said.
In a letter sent home to parents, King reminded them: The district has strong protocols in place to protect students from ICE. CPS is also working with Safe Passage workers to make sure students get to and from school safely.
The CTU is calling on elected leaders to do more.
SEE ALSO: Immigration agents violently detain several on South Side, in Humboldt Park: witnesses
"I'm asking every elected official in the city and state to be innovative like we ask our students to be innovative, and figure out what the law is in this moment to say, hands off our school communities and children," CTU President Stacy Davis Gates said.
CPS says, so far, there have been no reports of ICE showing up at schools since school began in August. Yet, student enrollment is down this year by close to 3% after a brief two-year increase because of an influx of migrant students.
"We've seen the biggest decrease in Black students, Hispanic students and students in temporary living situations. Those are the populations decreased the most," King said.
King says declining birthrates and migration patterns away from the city contribute to the enrollment drop that she says has been occurring since 2014. King says there is no data to support the decrease among Latino students is due to a fear of ICE.
"We don't ask parents for their immigration status. So, there would be no way for us to have a direct correlation," King said.
To cope with the anxiety of federal agents in Chicago. CPS is offering mental health resources to students, including virtual counseling sessions for all high school students.
