‘We love you here’: Richmond school leaders pledge support to immigrant students, families amid ICE raids
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids continue under President Trump’s executive order, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) has released an announcement in an effort to assure immigrant families that schools remain safe spaces for their children. In an email sent to staff and families, RPS sought to address the growing concerns of deportation fears among students and parents. Superintendent Jason Kamras delivered a clear message of support. “No matter who you are, where you come from or how you define yourself, we will always do everything humanly possible to protect you and keep you safe," Kamras said in a video message on social media. Churches, hospitals, and schools—previously considered sensitive locations—are now open to ICE activity, leading to heightened anxiety in immigrant communities. Since last Thursday, more than 3,500 people have been arrested nationwide, leaving families wondering whether sending their children to school could put them at risk. This comes after the Trump administration ended a decade-long policy to restrict areas in sensitive locations -- schools, churches, hospitals -- giving ICE the green light to arrest and deport anyone in the country illegally. Nash Fayad, the founder and managing attorney of Fayad Law P.C., expressed concern over the impact of these policies on children. “The anxiety this will create among kids," Fayad emphasized. "Can you imagine how they're going to study or go to school if they're not certain they’ll be able to come back?” Fayad, who has decades of experience in immigration law, further warned that such actions could erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. “Conducting raids at schools or other sensitive areas can lead to a breakdown in trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement agencies, including ICE and local police," he said. However, Fayad emphasized that ICE officers cannot set foot on school property and are prohibited from requesting any student information. During yesterday's video message, Kamras addressed these fears directly, assuring families that RPS will not ask students about their immigration status—a policy that has been in place for years. He also stated that the district will not increase law enforcement presence on school campuses. Instead, RPS is focusing on equipping teachers and administrators with training to better protect students and uphold their rights. “This is about doing what’s right for kids and living up to our motto to 'teach, lead and serve with love,'” Kamras said. Fayad said he believes these policies are likely to face legal challenges, as they have in the past. “Most likely, these four years are going to end in lawsuits like last time," Fayad said. "Unfortunately, there is going to be a lot of confrontation." 8News reached out to the other local school districts of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico to ask whether they are taking any similar steps to protect immigrant families. Hanover was the only one to respond -- a representative said the district would continue supporting students while adhering to the law. For now, Richmond Public Schools is making it clear that they stand with their students, regardless of immigration status. The district’s message is simple yet powerful, “We love you here.”
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids continue under President Trump’s executive order, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) has released an announcement in an effort to assure immigrant families that schools remain safe spaces for their children.
In an email sent to staff and families, RPS sought to address the growing concerns of deportation fears among students and parents. Superintendent Jason Kamras delivered a clear message of support.
“No matter who you are, where you come from or how you define yourself, we will always do everything humanly possible to protect you and keep you safe," Kamras said in a video message on social media.
Churches, hospitals, and schools—previously considered sensitive locations—are now open to ICE activity, leading to heightened anxiety in immigrant communities. Since last Thursday, more than 3,500 people have been arrested nationwide, leaving families wondering whether sending their children to school could put them at risk.
This comes after the Trump administration ended a decade-long policy to restrict areas in sensitive locations -- schools, churches, hospitals -- giving ICE the green light to arrest and deport anyone in the country illegally.
Nash Fayad, the founder and managing attorney of Fayad Law P.C., expressed concern over the impact of these policies on children.
“The anxiety this will create among kids," Fayad emphasized. "Can you imagine how they're going to study or go to school if they're not certain they’ll be able to come back?”
Fayad, who has decades of experience in immigration law, further warned that such actions could erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
“Conducting raids at schools or other sensitive areas can lead to a breakdown in trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement agencies, including ICE and local police," he said.
However, Fayad emphasized that ICE officers cannot set foot on school property and are prohibited from requesting any student information.
During yesterday's video message, Kamras addressed these fears directly, assuring families that RPS will not ask students about their immigration status—a policy that has been in place for years. He also stated that the district will not increase law enforcement presence on school campuses. Instead, RPS is focusing on equipping teachers and administrators with training to better protect students and uphold their rights.
“This is about doing what’s right for kids and living up to our motto to 'teach, lead and serve with love,'” Kamras said.
Fayad said he believes these policies are likely to face legal challenges, as they have in the past.
“Most likely, these four years are going to end in lawsuits like last time," Fayad said. "Unfortunately, there is going to be a lot of confrontation."
8News reached out to the other local school districts of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico to ask whether they are taking any similar steps to protect immigrant families. Hanover was the only one to respond -- a representative said the district would continue supporting students while adhering to the law.
For now, Richmond Public Schools is making it clear that they stand with their students, regardless of immigration status. The district’s message is simple yet powerful, “We love you here.”
