‘Undocumented people, they’re just like us’: Parents react to Chesterfield Schools’ statement on immigration raids
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- As immigration raids ramp up across the nation under President Donald Trump's executive orders, Central Virginia schools are weighing in. Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) released a statement, saying the school district will keep its previous policies around immigration and protect students. "That's exactly what students need," said Nicole Markisohn, an incoming CCPS parent. "Regardless of your children's immigration status, the idea of them being in a classroom while a kid is pulled out of their classroom, one of their friends, their classmates … is really unsettling." Markisohn's son is two years old She said she moved to Chesterfield for its community-oriented, diverse school district. However, now that schools -- along with hospitals and churches -- are no longer considered safe spaces exempt from immigration enforcement, she was anxiously awaiting CCPS' response. That response was sent out to parents the night of Tuesday, Jan. 28. It states: CPS remains committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment and quality education for all. As in the past when the legal status of students and their families was the subject of heightened anxiety, CCPS will follow its policies and regulations prohibiting discrimination based on race, color or national origin. This aligns with the 1982 Supreme Court decision that public schools must educate all students regardless of immigration status. Currently, we are not aware of heightened immigration-related enforcement at CCPS schools or division offices. CCPS will protect the legal rights of all students and staff in our schools. To protect the rights of students and staff, ICE or law enforcement seeking access to schools must provide legal justification and await CCPS approval to enter. Public schools do not ask about immigration status and do not share student information without appropriate legal justification. Chesterfield’s rapidly-growing Latino student population has made the district one of the most diverse in Virginia. "It's [the Latino population] risen 175% in the state of Virginia," said Dalila Medrano, Chesterfields Multicultural Community Engagement Coordinator. "And Chesterfield, specifically, is home to 46.7% of Latinos in our region." With much of the immigration rhetoric going around focusing specifically on Latino immigrants, Medrano said people are scared. "My family is from El Salvador, and I also grew up in Chesterfield," Medrano said. "When I see people crying, when I see that there's a heaviness in the air, a sadness or a fear ... this is my family, this is my community," she said. "Immigrants have always been an essential thread to the fabric of Chesterfield County.” Though CCPS said it is unaware of any attempts by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enter its schools, the district affirmed its commitment to maintaining an inclusive environment for all students. Chesterfield's announcement followed Richmond Public Schools' statement and video released Monday, detailing how it will protect students and train teachers. RELATED: ‘We love you here,' Richmond school leaders pledge support to immigrant students, families amid ICE raids With CCPS' growing Latino student demographic, is this statement and stance enough to alleviate their concerns? "It paints a really stark contrast between what they're [RPS] doing there and what's happening here," Markisohn said. "We're -- it's a county line apart. And it's what I wish that we could see from our administration here." For now, families are urged to stay informed and ensure their contact details are up to date in case of emergency. "Undocumented people, they're just like us," Markisohn said. "I know that I am in a very fortunate and privileged position. That's part of why I'm here right now talking about this. But a lot of people are really scared right now. They're scared for themselves, they're scared for their children."
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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- As immigration raids ramp up across the nation under President Donald Trump's executive orders, Central Virginia schools are weighing in. Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) released a statement, saying the school district will keep its previous policies around immigration and protect students.
"That's exactly what students need," said Nicole Markisohn, an incoming CCPS parent. "Regardless of your children's immigration status, the idea of them being in a classroom while a kid is pulled out of their classroom, one of their friends, their classmates … is really unsettling."
Markisohn's son is two years old She said she moved to Chesterfield for its community-oriented, diverse school district.
However, now that schools -- along with hospitals and churches -- are no longer considered safe spaces exempt from immigration enforcement, she was anxiously awaiting CCPS' response.
That response was sent out to parents the night of Tuesday, Jan. 28. It states:
- CPS remains committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment and quality education for all.
- As in the past when the legal status of students and their families was the subject of heightened anxiety, CCPS will follow its policies and regulations prohibiting discrimination based on race, color or national origin. This aligns with the 1982 Supreme Court decision that public schools must educate all students regardless of immigration status.
- Currently, we are not aware of heightened immigration-related enforcement at CCPS schools or division offices.
- CCPS will protect the legal rights of all students and staff in our schools.
- To protect the rights of students and staff, ICE or law enforcement seeking access to schools must provide legal justification and await CCPS approval to enter.
- Public schools do not ask about immigration status and do not share student information without appropriate legal justification.
Chesterfield’s rapidly-growing Latino student population has made the district one of the most diverse in Virginia.
"It's [the Latino population] risen 175% in the state of Virginia," said Dalila Medrano, Chesterfields Multicultural Community Engagement Coordinator. "And Chesterfield, specifically, is home to 46.7% of Latinos in our region."
With much of the immigration rhetoric going around focusing specifically on Latino immigrants, Medrano said people are scared.
"My family is from El Salvador, and I also grew up in Chesterfield," Medrano said. "When I see people crying, when I see that there's a heaviness in the air, a sadness or a fear ... this is my family, this is my community," she said. "Immigrants have always been an essential thread to the fabric of Chesterfield County.”
Though CCPS said it is unaware of any attempts by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enter its schools, the district affirmed its commitment to maintaining an inclusive environment for all students.
Chesterfield's announcement followed Richmond Public Schools' statement and video released Monday, detailing how it will protect students and train teachers.
With CCPS' growing Latino student demographic, is this statement and stance enough to alleviate their concerns?
"It paints a really stark contrast between what they're [RPS] doing there and what's happening here," Markisohn said. "We're -- it's a county line apart. And it's what I wish that we could see from our administration here."
For now, families are urged to stay informed and ensure their contact details are up to date in case of emergency.
"Undocumented people, they're just like us," Markisohn said. "I know that I am in a very fortunate and privileged position. That's part of why I'm here right now talking about this. But a lot of people are really scared right now. They're scared for themselves, they're scared for their children."
