'That's not who we are': Triad teachers respond to policy change allowing ICE raids in schools

President Trump’s administration announced last week that it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, among other places.  

Over the past few days, teachers in Forsyth County have taken to social media, sharing their thoughts on what the policy change could mean for their students. 

Forsyth County Association of Educators President Jenny Easter summed up what a lot of her colleagues are feeling. 

“The biggest thing that our members and our staff are stressed with is like the mental health support, fear of the unknown, anger, disbelief, sadness," she said. "And also just kind of wondering, have some of our families already been detained or deported?"

Easter said she’s heard anecdotal reports of declining attendance over the last week. 

“Is that out of fear?" she said. "Is that out of, they're not here anymore?”

A spokesperson for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools says legal guidance has been provided to principals about what to do if a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent tries to enter a campus. But the district is still working on messages to share with students and families. 

Guilford County Schools issued a statement on the matter, saying the district “does not permit non-students, including ICE agents, access to GCS facilities unless they can produce a warrant signed by a federal judge.” 

Guilford County Association of Educators President Joanna Pendleton said while the change in policy is scary, she and other public school workers are committed to protecting all students. 

“People are not going to sit by and let kids get snatched out of public schools," Pendleton said. "That's just like, that's not who we are.”

She says there will need to be more communication in the coming weeks with immigrant families, support groups, school district leadership and lawyers. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.