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As the community in Detroit rallies for change, four students from Western International High School remain in federal immigration custody. This situation has sparked a call for action, urging school officials to strengthen protections for newcomers.
During a recent Detroit Public Schools Community District board meeting, Superintendent Nikolai Vitti announced plans to issue a statement advocating for the students’ release. “These continue to be troubling times for the district and our immigrant population,” Vitti stated. “We do advocate for our federal government to find better uses of its time and resources to attack the real problems in our society and not immigrant populations.”
Although the district has pledged to support the students and educate them about their rights, community members are demanding more robust measures. Their requests include mandatory staff training, improved transportation safety, and counseling services tailored to students facing immigration issues.
Heidi West, a teacher at Academy of the Americas, voiced her concerns at the meeting, saying, “It’s time to stop being scared. Speak up strongly and publicly.”
In recent months, at least five students from the district have been detained following intensified immigration enforcement.
‘Shattered dreams’ for students detained by ICE
Among those detained is Mor Ba, a 19-year-old from Senegal who graduated from Western International last month and was planning to pursue a mechanical engineering degree. His aspirations were abruptly halted when officials detained him after a traffic stop. Ba is currently held at the Northlake Correctional Facility, with his asylum case pending.
Santiago Jesus Zamora Perez, a 17-year-old from Venezuela and a star baseball player, was also detained recently. His aspirations to play college baseball are now uncertain as he awaits his case outcome.
Additionally, Kerly Mariangel Sosa Rivero and Antony Janier Peña Sosa, cousins from Venezuela, were taken into custody during a home raid. Both students are active in school extracurriculars, with Sosa Rivero playing volleyball and Peña Sosa excelling in art and music.
These incidents have left the community in distress, with educators and advocates calling for district support and more comprehensive resources to help students navigate these challenges.
Teachers want more resources, training
Educators have been pressing the district to provide “know-your-rights” training and better support systems for students. The existing “Sanctuary District” policy from 2019 is seen as insufficient, with calls for updates and staff training to handle interactions with immigration officials.
Alexander Cintron, director of the newcomer program at Western International, highlighted the impact of these issues on student attendance and mental health. The fear of ICE has created “an undercurrent of despair and anxiety” among students.
Community members are urging the district to leverage its influence to advocate for immigrant students and provide legal and emotional support. There are also requests for clear communication about students’ rights and the establishment of a legal support hotline.
The board has yet to respond directly to these demands, leaving many in the community frustrated and eager for action.
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