Thousands of Veterans in Deportation Limbo
Many undocumented immigrants who join the U.S. military simply assume that citizenship is part of the deal.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – There is a disturbing trend in Prince George’s County schools that has officials there concerned. At issue is dropping attendance among Latino students that is fueled by fears over possible deportation raids by the federal government.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a new effort in 2016 to step up deportation efforts against people who have broken the law and entered the country illegally. News of these deportation raids are spreading.
According to a letter from Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO Dr. Kevin Maxwell, principals are reporting a drop off in attendance by Latino students.
School administrators believe unfounded rumors are leading students with questionable legal status of being in the United States fearing they could be detained or deported just by attending school.
“We have seen a decrease in attendance at some of our schools,” said Prince George’s County Public Schools spokesperson Sherrie Johnson. “It's not widespread, but we have seen somewhat of a decrease at some of our schools. It's important to note that we want all students to come to school and we understand it's a very difficult time. This is a scary time.”
- Hasty raids led to mistakes: Deportation halted for at least 20 migrants targeted
- Fearing deportation, undocumented Haitians wait in long lines
- Deportation shelved for 1-year-old Honduran boy
- Life After Deportation in Tijuana
- Adult And Underage Central American Migrants Face Deportation And Other Dangers In Mexico
In Montgomery County, Executive Isiah Leggett and the county council issued a letter saying the county and its law enforcement won't take part in helping the federal government deport undocumented immigrants.
The letter was somewhat surprising to county police as they told us they never were involved in deportation efforts and their long-established policy is to interview crime victims and witnesses without inquiring about immigration status.
Leggett said the political leaders in Montgomery County wanted to send a message to undocumented immigrants to not live in fear of the county government.
“Montgomery County does not support the policy of the federal government that this is a real concern nationally,” said Leggett. “But locally, we're not going to enforce ICE's mandates and we would hope that people understand that.”
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