Portland School Board Chairman Reveals How District Can Fight Deportation Efforts

PORTLAND, Maine (CITC) — The chairman of the Portland Public Schools Board of Education on Tuesday outlined how the district could fight deportation efforts, citing the results of this month’s presidential election.

Sarah Lenz admitted on Tuesday. meeting that this was the first meeting of the full council since the presidential election. She noted that the results of the race, like other races across the country, “caused a lot of emotions.”

“This election was incredibly important and meaningful, and we are already beginning to feel its impact,” the board chairman said.

Lentz went on to explain that immigrant families in Portland were “under attack” ahead of the White House administration change. She pointed to a 2017 school board resolution that ensures that, unless required by a court order, Portland Public Schools will not use district resources “for the purpose of locating or assisting in the apprehension” of individuals whose “sole violation of the law” is the residence . Illegal in the USA.

Lentz added that she and other district officials are preparing for any “sudden deportation plan” that could result in students being “separated from detained parents.”

Just a reminder that there are no plans for mass deportations or other actions at this time, but we are doing everything we can to be prepared if that happens,” she said.

President-elect Donald Trump confirmed in a Truth Social report on Monday, his new administration will declare a national emergency regarding illegal immigration and will also “use military means” to implement a mass deportation program. Trump’s new “border czar” Tom Homan also told Fox News this month that he is willing to send more Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to sanctuary cities like New York.

“If we can’t get help from New York, and I can do that, we might have to double the number of agents we send to New York because we’re going to get this job done, we’re going to do this.” work without you or with you,” Homan said.

Lentz’s views are similar to those of the Chicago Board of Education. The school board last week approved permission promising Chicago Public Schools will not “assist” ICE officials “in enforcing federal civil immigration law.”

“Therefore, ICE will not be permitted access to CPS facilities or personnel except in rare cases where CPS has a criminal warrant,” the Chicago resolution states.

Portland Public Schools did not respond to a request for comment from Crisis in the Classroom (CITC).

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