Local school districts comment on potential ICE presence

As President Donald Trump continues to move forward with the planned mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, local school districts in Yorktown and Mahopac issued statements regarding the possible arrival of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.  

Lakeland Central School District  

“Please be assured that our district is fully committed to following the law regarding any potential situation involving ICE or other law enforcement agencies. We take this responsibility seriously and are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and families within our community.”  

Yorktown Central School District  

“Our district will continue to follow the law and the directives of the New York State Education Department (SED).  SED has long advised that law enforcement officers should not have access to students without parent/guardian notification and the opportunity by the parent/guardian to refuse to make the student available for either questioning or removal. There are exceptions in certain limited circumstances, including when law enforcement officers have a valid judicial warrant or when a crime has been committed on school property.” 

Mahopac Central School District  

Christine Tona, Superintendent of Schools in a letter to the community, said:  

“Our District responsibility is to provide an education to each and every one of our students in a safe environment. That responsibility is my number one priority. I recognize that there has been recent discussion in our country regarding the potential for governmental officials to access schools to detain students. Our schools have secure vestibules and staff who monitor visitor access. No one will be permitted to enter our schools without District authorization. Our practice is to release students only to the parent/guardian or individual designated and communicated to us by the parent/guardian. Should any government official appear on District property, the building administrator will redirect them to me at the District Office. Everyone in the Mahopac Central School District will continue to keep our students safe and provide them with a learning environment that allows them to feel secure. Please reach out to me or your child’s principal if you have any questions.”