Renee Good. Alex Pretti. Liam Romas. Luis Cáceres.
All these names aren’t even close to a handful of many lives impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents – lives that may seem far away from Oswego, but whose impacts are felt here by students and families all the same.
Between Jan. 27-31, OH students were given the option to complete a 42Fifty electronic survey pertaining to ICE. Those results, from 101 respondents and seen in this article’s infographics, reflect students’ concern about ICE in the geographic area and their knowledge of threats to people in the area.
“ICE is not a concern in Oswego, but it is definitely a concern in the Aurora and Chicago area,” said OH senior Brandon Ugalde “At first I didn’t think of it as a big deal, but it has gone too far.”
Since 2002, ICE has been maintaining and working to defend homeland security. Under former President Barack Obama, 2.7 million people were deported in his eight-year term. However, Obama was not deporting random families who did not have proper immigration. He aimed to have immigration agencies remove individuals who hurt the country. He also admitted that the immigration system was broken and made one of his goals to fix this ongoing issue.
“Felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mom who’s working hard to provide for her kids,” said Obama during his national statement regarding his methods for immigration.
In contrast, the efforts of the federal enforcers have been intensified and changed under current President Trump. The target changed from a specific group of immigrants, to a more broad subject of immigrants. The efforts and results of this goal has sparked nationwide controversy arguing over if ICE is going too far.
More locally in July, ICE was seen pinning a civilian vehicle in a black van in Joliet. Four agents swarmed the vehicle and took one person into custody. In light of this incident, US Representative Lauren Underwood from Illinois’ 14th District, which represents Oswego, shared that when ICE detains and takes a person to a detention center, political figures such as mayors and representatives are not given notice for who ICE is taking into custody.
This is problematic, because congressional officials do not know who is being taken into custody and they are not allowed to see them. Minnesota Representatives Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig, and Kelly Morrison, who were also denied access to ICE facilities in January.
“Having ICE show up in Oswego would make me very upset,” said OH senior Ziyi Rojas. “I would be out there amongst my community and protest against them.” These agents are not targeting illegal immigrants. They are targeting people’s ethnicity and individuals who oppose or do not support them.
“I worry constantly for my friends and family who are at risk of being targeted by ICE,” said OH freshmen Olivia Grojean, “but I am not afraid to stand for what I believe is right: that ICE is wrong.”
Based on public statements, Vice President J.D Vance disagrees. When responding to ICE’s custody of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, he said during a Minneapolis press conference, “What were they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death? Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien in the United States of America?”
OH students disagree with the position Vance offered, recalling words from the Declaration of Independence. “I feel very like, sorrowful,” said OH senior Isabella Barocio. “It’s something that makes me sad because I wonder what happened to the ‘pursuit of liberty and happiness.’”
Rojas added, “They are ripping families apart instead of just removing those who have committed felonies. Each and every one of us knows someone who has immigrated to this country and would be affected if found.”
Rojas is not alone in having thoughts about the impact recent events could have on families if similar events happened in this area. “I’m just thinking to myself, what’s gonna be next?” said OH senior Alexandra Cortez. “I’m scared, and my dad lives in Joliet. There have been – ICE raids nearby, and I’m scared someday they’ll knock down the door and come for me.”
OH Student Resource Officer Behr Pfizenmaier and member of the Oswego Police Department shared SD308 policies pertaining to ICE, and gave reassurance regarding the safety of students, which 49.5% of 42Fifty’s survey respondents reported they still did feel safe at school in light of ICE activity in the area.
“[[The Illinois Trust ACT]] goes over the prohibition of local law enforcement from arresting or detaining individuals solely on immigration status,” said Pfizenmaier, who described the Trust ACT as a set of rules for local law enforcement regarding immigration.
In a statement sent out to staff and parents, SD#308 administration made it clear that ICE or any other federal agents are not allowed on school property. In a message from Dr. Andalib Khelghati on Oct. 3, he stated, “we understand that recent immigration enforcement activity in our area has left some families feeling uneasy. Please know that the safety and well-being of every student remain our top priority.”
In that same message, a document for guidance regarding immigration enforcement was attached. Six things were listed within the guidelines, including Be respectful, do not be combative, noncompliant, or obstruct the official. Please use the common language responses.
“We’re not coordinating with federal representatives, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” SD#308 Superintendent of Student Services Jeremy Bell told reporters during an interview with The Patch.
Recently, OH students staged a walkout where 1,000+ students between grades 9-12 attended, all expressing anti-ICE and anti-deportation views. Students showcased their knowledge of the national conversation about ICE.
To have an opinion and an impact, you don’t need to be directly affected by ICE. Be educated, read about things happening in our country and local communities. Most importantly, express your views.
“Tracking down, rounding up, and deporting millions of people isn’t realistic,” said former President Barack Obama during a national statement in 2014. “Anyone who suggests otherwise isn’t being straight with you. It’s also not who we are as Americans.”
And that is still true today.
42Fifty is the student media Publication of Oswego High School, Oswego, IL. Stories attributed to 42Fifty are written by editorial staff, or in the case of staff editorial, reflect a quorum of the student staff's ideas and opinions. To learn more about the 42Fifty staff, please see the About or Our Staff page on the website.
