Peoria schools and community leaders respond to reported ICE activity

Peoria Public Schools and a group of Peoria community leaders this week responded to what an immigrant advocacy group describes as an increased presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in central Illinois.^{1, 2} The Immigration Project said it confirmed sightings of ICE this week in Peoria and East Peoria, WCBU reported.¹

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security later confirmed to 25 News Now that 21 people were arrested in targeted immigration enforcement operations in Peoria and Springfield from Oct. 26 to 28.³ DHS did not say how many arrests were made in each city or identify the people detained, the station reported.³

What the school district says

Demario Boone, the district’s director of school safety, told families in a Facebook post and in an interview with WCBU on Thursday that their children are protected while they are in school buildings.¹ “We love our families,” Boone said.¹ “And we stand with all of our families in making sure that they’re treated with dignity, and they’re not walking around in fear and they don’t feel alone.”¹

Boone cited the Safe Schools for All Act, which took effect in January and says no child can be denied a free public education based on their own or an associated person’s citizenship or immigration status, according to WCBU.¹ Under the district’s protocol, staff refuse ICE agents entry to school buildings and must immediately contact the school security department, the station reported.¹ Staff cannot disclose student information without legal review, must send orders, summonses and access requests to district administrators and legal counsel, and must start protective measures such as a soft lockdown when needed.¹ School buses carry the same restrictions.¹

“We will follow law,” Boone said.¹ He described the district’s job this way: “Our role is to protect children, and we will do that.”¹

Boone said he had not seen or read of any case of agents “breaking through or bursting into” Illinois schools.¹ He asked the public to share only accurate information and not to frighten families, WCBU reported.¹ He also urged families to keep their contact information up to date with schools and to have a backup plan for who can pick up their child, so that a child could be sent to another relative if a parent is taken into custody.¹

People who see ICE activity near a school, playground, parking lot or bus area should notify the building principal, Boone wrote.¹ They can also call or text (309) 231-9623 to reach the Illinois Federation of Teachers’ critical response team, according to WCBU.¹

A donation drive

Attorney Christopher McCall, Peoria school board member Gregory Wilson, Peoria City Council member Andre Allen and Marcus Hamilton have organized a drive to collect food, diapers and other necessities for families.^{1, 2} Wilson told 25 News Now the effort is focused on the immediate needs of children and families, especially District 150 students.²

“No matter what aisle we’re on, one thing we can all get behind is our children and families and making sure that they feel supported,” Wilson told the station.² The organizers are asking for diapers, pull-ups, tortillas, beans, rice and vegetable oil, according to 25 News Now.²

Donations can be dropped off at McCall Law Offices, 1225 N. North St., and at Yeni’s Palarte, 4303 N. Prospect Road, both in Peoria.^{1, 2}

What federal officials say

25 News Now said it first asked the Peoria Police Department, Peoria Public Schools leadership and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for comment about the reported enforcement activity and had not received responses.²

In its later statement, DHS said those arrested will remain in ICE custody until they are removed, and it cited criminal histories that included attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery, 25 News Now reported.³ The department did not say whether all 21 people had criminal histories or break down their convictions, according to the station.³ Its statement came two days after the Immigration Project confirmed at least 10 people had been detained since the enforcement began, and it did not address arrests in Bloomington.³