EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to the sensitivity of the topic, the Devil’s Advocate has chosen to run this story without identifying the names of the students interviewed. The sources have been vetted by the reporters and the editor.
With the immigration enforcement by ICE being the main headline in the news lately, LHS students have shared their opinions about ICE and whether or not they feel safe at Leominster High School.
Leominster has a diverse population, and the diverse student body had strong opinions.
ICE is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Department. ICE’s job is to remove undocumented immigrants. To date, the campus of LHS specifically has not experienced any interactions with ICE.
We asked students what their opinion of ICE was and how they felt about the possibility of ICE entering schools. Many students stated it was sad, heartbreaking, and terrible, and for those who are not targeted, they are still scared for their friends.
One student stated, “ICE was trained to take out criminals. My friends are not criminals.”
Another student said, “It’s sad, I’m scared for (myself) and my friends.
Although the Governor signed an executive order this week forbidding ICE from entering schools, students still had a some suggestions on ways that would help them feel safer at school.
Many students said they would like Leominster High School to speak about what’s going on, and speak directly to students to spread awareness, reassurance, and to share protocols with students in the event of any enforcement actions.
One student said they would prefer that others be checked on individually, and another student said they believed that going to school online would make them feel more comfortable.
Another student said that they trusted our school to protect them, and they felt safer with the executive order that the Governor signed, although they would like more teachers to outwardly express more care and concern for their students.
Students were asked if they had somebody to talk to at school or at home. Many students stated that they do have somebody to talk to, especially family members. Several stated they felt comfortable speaking to mainly parents and siblings. Some students did say that they have a teacher to talk to and would prefer speaking with a teacher they are close to, or with a guidance counselor. One student said they wouldn’t talk to any teacher because the teachers can’t give their true opinion. They added that the teachers don’t have the same fear as the students if they haven’t gone through something like this.
One student said, “I want everyone to be treated equally because at the end of the day, we are all humans.”
Another student said, “Nobody should be afraid to leave their houses because of what’s going on.”
