The director of school safety at Peoria Public Schools voiced support for families in response to an increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] agents in Central Illinois.
Demario Boone spoke to WCBU on Thursday, following up on a Peoria Public Schools Resource Officers Facebook post about the issue. The Immigration Project said it confirmed sightings of ICE this week in Peoria and East Peoria.
“We love our families,” Boone said Thursday. “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. Peoria Public Schools loves you. All of you, and we will make sure we protect you.”
In his Facebook post, he specifically called out local Hispanic and Latino families.
“Their children have the right to be here,” he wrote. “We have the duty to protect them. The right of a child to education is not a favor. The dignity of a family is not subject to public approval. And no father or mother should have to weigh the promise of a classroom against the fear of separation.”
Boone cited the Safe Schools for All Act that took effect in January. The law states no child can be denied free public education based on their or an “associated person's perceived or actual citizenship or immigration status.”
The Peoria district’s protocol with ICE states that public school staff refuse ICE entry into school buildings, and staff must immediately contact the School Security Department. Staff also cannot disclose student information without legal review.
Staff are required to “submit orders, summonses, and access requests to district administrators and legal counsel,” according to the Facebook post. Finally, they must initiate protective measures, like a soft school lockdown, when needed. School buses also have the same restrictions and protections.
“We will follow law,” Boone said Thursday. “Really what I put out there was letting them know that their children are protected when they are in our buildings. ICE has their role. We have our role. Our role is to protect children, and we will do that.”
Boone said he has not seen or read of any instance of ICE agents “breaking through or bursting into” Illinois schools.
“I can’t speak in absolutes, but I don’t foresee them trying to enter school buildings because they already know what the law is here,” Boone said. “They already know that we are told by law that we can’t cooperate or we don’t work with them. So, it wouldn’t be advantageous for them to even come to a school."
Still, when students are at play or coming to and from school, Boone and his team will ensure sites and buses are safe.
Boone is asking the public to make sure the information they share is accurate and not to frighten families that are already in some state of fear and panic.
He said families should verify schools have updated information. They should have a plan B for who their child can go to. He said the school district wants to ensure that if ICE takes a family into custody the schools have connections to route the family’s child to another relative.
“As Peoria Public Schools, we control what we can control, and that’s following the law and protecting children and families that attend our school district,” Boone said.
If people witness ICE activity near a school, playground, parking lot, bus area, or nearby neighborhood, they should immediately notify the building principal, Boone wrote Tuesday. They can also call or text (309) 231-9623 to help connect them with the Illinois Federation of Teachers’ Critical Response Team. Boone can be reached at (309) 256-2671.
Donation drive
Also in response to the increased ICE presence in Peoria, attorney Christopher McCall, Gregory Wilson, Andre Allen and Marcus Hamilton are spearheading a charity donation drive to get essentials to local Latino children and families.
“We understand that this can create tough times for our Latino population,” Wilson said. “We want to do what we can do to make an impact.”
The group is asking community members and organizations to get the word out and drop off essentials good like diapers and food at McCall Law Offices, P.C. 1225 N. North St. in Peoria or Yeni’s Palarte, a Mexican ice cream shop at 4303 N. Prospect Road in Peoria.
As a member of the Peoria Public Schools board, Wilson said his concern is local students. Not only does he want to make sure they are safe, he is concerned about potentially families being without a father, mother or both. Losing a family member can be rough, said Wilson, and what he and the others want to do is stand in the gap and bring the community together.
“No matter what side of the aisle you fall on, I think we can all share the common belief that we care for our children,” said Wilson. “So, that’s really what we wanted to do. [It’s] less about politics, more about seeing a need.”
Wilson said the drive will likely last for three to four weeks and the goods will probably be delivered to families, but the details of when that might happen have not been worked out yet.
“Like I was telling one person: One can of beans, two cans of beans, three cans of beans, all of it’s going to make a huge difference,” Wilson said. “There’s nothing too big. There’s nothing too small.”
If ICE’s presence in Peoria remains the same, the drive could absolutely extend longer, said Wilson.
“We’re here to stand,” Wilson said. “Stand [with] individuals in need. Period. It just so happens that here’s where we are currently.”
Wilson encourages those who cannot donate to spread the world. He asks organizations to reach out to the group with ideas on how to mobilize and get donations.
“Just share,” Wilson said. “Share, share, share. Our community, when we come together, it’s one of the most beautiful things.”
Those interested in helping the drive can contact Gregory Wilson and Marcus Hamilton at theyanicollective@gmail.com, Andre Allen at allenforpeoria@gmail.com or Christopher McCall at christopher@mccalllegal.com.
