BARRINGTON, Ill. (WLS) — Ahead of Donald Trump’s second term as president, some Chicago-area schools are looking to ease fears of some families.
It’s a response to the president-elect’s promises of mass deportations.
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Illinois schools are required by law to accept students without regard to their race, beliefs, or immigration status. State public officials are confident that this practice will be upheld.
However, with the Trump administration about to take over leadership in Washington, some families in the immigrant community are on edge.
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According to Rafael Villagomez from the Elgin Hispanic Network, there is a lot of talk causing anxiety, with most of the fear stemming from uncertainty about the future.
Rafael Villagomez assists families in Elgin, a community with a substantial Hispanic presence. Many of these families are worried about how the political environment may change after Trump assumes the presidency next week.
“So now they’re like, ‘What’s gonna happen? Do I keep my kid at home and not as active?'” District U-46 parent Elisa Lara said.
A number of school districts are trying to calm fears. Barrington school officials sent an email to families last week, saying in part, “We want to assure you that we will continue to support all Barrington 220 students, and remind you that Illinois state law provides many important protections for immigrant communities.”
In Aurora and other places, they are sponsoring workshops for immigrants and others to help make sure they know their rights in the event they are questioned or detained by immigration officers.
In addition to the messages sent by individual school districts, the state board of education is also working on messaging they plan to distribute next week.
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