Feds' Presence Near Chicago Schools Sparks Calls for "ICE-Free Zones"
The presence of federal immigration agents near schools in Little Village has left students and parents on edge, prompting a renewed push to install more "ICE-free zone" signs at school parking lots.
On Tuesday, agents were spotted around the parking lot of Lazaro Cardenas Elementary School, where employees and community members asked them to leave after they were seen driving around the parking lot. The agents then went to a nearby alley and detained four people.
Federal agents have also been seen near Farragut Career Academy in Little Village, where students were practicing.
The sightings have reignited calls for the city to speed up installing over 500 signs at school parking lots to prohibit immigration agents from using city property. The mayor's office has argued that the signs are necessary to enforce an executive order prohibiting immigration agents from using city property.
However, community members claim that these efforts will not prevent federal operations on school property and instead want more action to be taken to protect students.
"We're adding another layer of trauma to our children," said Baltazar Enriquez, president of the Little Village Community Council. "We need a sign here in every school in Little Village that says ICE agents cannot use CPS property."
Community members claim that these sightings have made students afraid to go to school and want swift action from the city.
"We'll buy the signs, we'll put up the signs," Enriquez said if money is an issue.
In recent days, community members have reported multiple sightings of immigration agents near schools in Little Village, leaving students feeling anxious about attending classes.
The presence of federal immigration agents near schools in Little Village has left students and parents on edge, prompting a renewed push to install more "ICE-free zone" signs at school parking lots.
On Tuesday, agents were spotted around the parking lot of Lazaro Cardenas Elementary School, where employees and community members asked them to leave after they were seen driving around the parking lot. The agents then went to a nearby alley and detained four people.
Federal agents have also been seen near Farragut Career Academy in Little Village, where students were practicing.
The sightings have reignited calls for the city to speed up installing over 500 signs at school parking lots to prohibit immigration agents from using city property. The mayor's office has argued that the signs are necessary to enforce an executive order prohibiting immigration agents from using city property.
However, community members claim that these efforts will not prevent federal operations on school property and instead want more action to be taken to protect students.
"We're adding another layer of trauma to our children," said Baltazar Enriquez, president of the Little Village Community Council. "We need a sign here in every school in Little Village that says ICE agents cannot use CPS property."
Community members claim that these sightings have made students afraid to go to school and want swift action from the city.
"We'll buy the signs, we'll put up the signs," Enriquez said if money is an issue.
In recent days, community members have reported multiple sightings of immigration agents near schools in Little Village, leaving students feeling anxious about attending classes.
. Schools are supposed to be safe spaces for kids, and now they're being used as a means for federal immigration agents to swoop in and make people feel super uncomfortable. I mean, what's next? Are we gonna have cops patrolling the playgrounds too? It's like, can't these agencies just find another way to do their jobs without putting innocent kids at risk?
. And what about all these people being detained in an alleyway nearby? That's just disturbing. The city's gotta do better than just slapping up some signs and calling it a day.
...i feel like we shouldnt be forcing signs up everywhere, its just gonna give them more anxiety thinkin they cant even play outside without ICE showin up...we need to find a way to keep our schools safe and free from fear for our kids' sake 
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I feel so bad for these kids, you know? They're already dealing with school and stuff, and then they gotta worry about ICE agents showing up at their school... 
It's like, let's focus on keeping our kids safe and happy, not just dealing with paperwork and bureaucracy.
. Those ICE agents need to stay away from our schools, period 
. The city should be doing more to protect these kids, not just adding signs that might not even stop the agents 
. It's time for our city leaders to step up and prioritize the well-being of our students 
. Can we please just make school a safe space for everyone? 
theyre not gonna let us learn if we can't feel safe around here 
Baltazar Enriquez sounds like he means business 
It's not fair to the community or the students who are already dealing with a lot of stress and uncertainty about immigration...
It's like, they're trying to traumatize our little ones and it's not okay. We need to do more than just slap some signs up – we need concrete action to keep these kids safe 
Shouldn't our city be a place of safety and comfort for all its citizens, regardless of immigration status? 
I'm getting so frustrated with this situation... these federal agents just showing up at our schools and scaring the livin' daylights outta our kids 
. It's the least they can do to show they care about our kids' well-being 
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We need more action than just slap-dash signs! 
u can't just post signs & expect it 2 b enough ppl need 2 take real action like hiring security or somethin 
