BOTHELL, Wash. — School districts across Western Washington remain wary of any potential ICE raids happening on campuses or as children leave school buses. KIRO 7 got a hold of a photo of a sign placed within the Transportation Department of the Northshore School District reminding employees what to do if an ICE agent ever showed up.
The sign reads that at no point should a bus driver ever release a student to that ICE agent, but have that agent step aside and call dispatch then call the district’s superintendent.
KIRO 7 spoke with the district who shared their guidelines for employees if they are in that situation. That same spokesperson also sent the following statement:
“Northshore is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and welcoming working and learning environments for students and staff. These values are the foundation of our District’s policies and procedures, and we will hold ourselves accountable to them. "
KIRO 7 discussed concerns with Thrive International regarding migrant families and their fear of deportation. Anna Bonderanko from the group mentioned that tensions have been high in recent weeks.
“Uncertainty and anxiousness. Probably even more since the last time,” Bonderanko said.
Bonderanko says several families that stay with them have children in Pierce County school districts who rely on the bus for transportation. She says several children have expressed this to her and the schools they go to.
“We actually have on a daily basis 7 buses that come into our gated community to pick up kids and drop kids off,” Bonderanko said.
KIRO 7 was able to get a hold of a spokesperson with ICE on the matter. Much of the conversation couldn’t go on the record, but that spokesperson assured us that ICE agents aren’t showing up at any schools or bus stops anytime soon.
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