Somers schools issue statement on potential ICE presence

SOMERS, N.Y. - As President Trump continues to move forward with the planned mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, the Somers Central School District issued a statement earlier this week regarding the possible arrival of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. 

A communication to parents from Interim Superintendent Harry LeFevre read as follows: 

Dear Somers families,

We know that these are uncertain times for school communities everywhere, especially with the recent Executive Order allowing immigration enforcement in sensitive areas such as churches and schools.

While this situation is new to us all, nothing changes the Somers Central School District’s commitment to supporting and protecting our students, families and staff. I want to assure you that we will always do everything in our power to safeguard the privacy and safety of our students, their families, and our staff, while adhering to all state and federal laws.

We have prepared a protocol for staff in the unlikely event that an official from ICE or another federal agency arrives at one of our schools to conduct such enforcement. In such an event, the building principal, superintendent of schools and district’s attorneys will be notified immediately, as well as the parent or guardian of any student who may be the focus of an inquiry. We will remain adamant that everyone’s rights are respected and preserved.

Our protocol aligns with New York State Guidance on Safeguarding the Rights of Immigrant Students.

We remain committed to ensuring that our schools are welcoming environments where all members of the Somers district family can feel safe, included and comfortable.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

In January, an Executive Order was issued allowing ICE officers to make arrests at previously protected locations such as churches and schools, ending a policy that had been in place since 2011.