School Guidance on Immigration: Activists Weigh In

When the state of New Jersey issued new guidance to schools on handling immigration officers, reactions from immigrant activists were mixed. The guidelines came in response to Trump's administration lifting protections for undocumented immigrants in sensitive locations like schools. Amy Torres, head of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, felt the guidance was late and might be hard for schools to implement quickly. She questioned the clarity of language about urgent situations, fearing ICE agents might take advantage.On the other hand, Itzel Hernandez from the American Friends Service Committee saw the guidance as a step in the right direction. She noted the high demand from schools for resources to support parents, teachers, and students. Cristian Moreno-Rodriguez, founder of El Pueblo Unido, urged Atlantic City schools to act swiftly. He reported fears of ICE raids and parents pulling kids from school. Workshops are being held to educate people on their rights during raids.