Many parents in the Mission District are experiencing a new fear – fear of immigration officers knocking on their door or stopping them in the street. Several families have chosen to remain at home, keeping students home from school. In the wake of recent ICE raids in our community, the Parent Partner Program, Mission Community Beacon, and Everett Middle School came together Monday night to discuss these fears and ensure our students and families feel safe in their own community.
Bringing together immigration attorneys, community resources, and District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener, this Immigration Panel addressed fears, rumors, and how each family can ensure their own safety. Emceed by Good Samaritan Family Resource Center Executive Director Mario Paz, the community meeting focused on the importance of making a plan. Creating family protocol in the event of another ICE raid not only ensures that families feel safe, but also puts in place steps to take in the event of another sweep of raids.
Immigration attorney and Everett parent Amy Lee from Jubilee Immigration Advocates shared the importance of keeping important documents in a place where a family member could easily locate them. She shared information about documents that allow a family member or friend to make decisions regarding children, and reminded everyone of their rights if confronted by immigration officials. Carl Santos of La Raza Community Resource Center emphasized to families the number of the community resources available to them as well.
The fears families feel are very real, and community members were given the chance to let Supervisor Wiener know how important this issue is to his constituents.