By Chris Gutierrez,
Staff Writer.
Since Jan. 20, 2025, the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration, he has heavily enforced immigration policies. For example, asylum restrictions, public charge rule and family separation policy are now part of the way that immigration is going to be handled going forward. These policies have caused fear since Trump was elected for his first term back in 2016. Jan. 25, 2020, was the first case of ICE on a school campus in Chicago’s Hamlin Elementary School.
Our school district released information about what would happen if ICE entered schools. When asked about what parents and students should know regarding school policies with ICE, SRHS Principal Monica Fong said, “Staff should remain calm, ask what the officers want to see if they have a warrant to see a specific person; if they do we are to call the superintendent’s office and she’ll arrive at the school or one of [the district’s] attorneys to see if it’s a legitimate warrant. If it is, we would get the student very quietly.” She also made it clear that this decision wouldn’t be made by her but by the superintendent. Fong wanted our students to know that they do not need to worry because there have been no cases of ICE showing up on campuses in California. She suggested that all students know their rights in case this changes.
With the recent news of ICE being allowed to enter schools, AP biology teacher Kayla Catelani has a closed and locked door at all times with a sign on her window that reads “Stop! Visitors Must Check In At The Front Desk.” After being asked why she decided to lock her doors, Catelani said, “We were sent out our haven rights, and with that, it allowed us to lock the doors to those who aren’t an official visitor, specifically if they aren’t accompanied by the principal or the superintendent. I decided to keep my doors locked to keep the students and myself comfortable and to ensure the only people allowed in my room are welcomed or invited.” Catelani encourages all teachers to lock their doors. She added, “I want all students to feel safe at school because that’s the only way students can thrive.”
Junior Alexa Bannister said, “Students are supposed to feel safe in school, and [this is] a place where students are supposed to feel protected.” She also commented about the fear she has for her younger siblings: “I feel scared that ICE can look at me as a Latina and assume I am an immigrant. My young siblings have less maturity than me, and I’m afraid that if ICE does go to their school it will become a traumatic experience for them.”
On Feb. 11, workers and students protested around the United States. Many Latinos around the United States missed work, school and other programs to make a point. Some of our proud Latino panthers participated in the protest. Senior Manuel Vargas said, “I believe every student deserves a right to be heard on any topic. I missed school to raise awareness of a big issue that most people fail to understand. The goal of the protest was to walk in peace and make our voices heard without violence because news outlets make us Latinos look like criminals.”
Spanish teacher Emma Zavala said, “It’s important for a community to express what they are feeling, and to know what is affecting us Latinos. I am very glad everything was peaceful because that’s the right way to use freedom of speech and not insult other cultures and people. I believe the more people that join the better because all united can actually make a difference. People need to realize that this issue will affect all of us in the country.” She wants all students to support each other, and the protest was a good first step.
Bannister added, “It’s very powerful and needs to be heard across the nation. It’s a good thing and we should continue to push for a change as it’s the only way to be heard.”
Our Latino Panthers are hoping the situation will get better but only time will tell.
