School district superintendents to announce support of ‘family unification’ on border
On Wednesday morning the superintendents of area school districts will gather at the Tornillo Port of Entry in support of family unification on the border.
The news conference is set to begin at 10 a.m.
In a statement, district officials said the superintendents want to show a front to support the well-being of immigrant children housed in tents at the port of entry.
The statement said, “years of education has shown that children thrive academically, socially and emotionally when they are surrounded by loving, supportive, and involved parents/or relatives, regardless of socioeconomic circumstances.”
The news conference is in response to the Trump administration’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy, forcing the separation of children and parents.
The Trump administration continues to support the practice.
ABC-7 talked to Mercedes Schlapp, assistant to the president and director of strategic communications, who said approximately 10,000 children have illegally crossed the border with smugglers.
“We want to ensure the safety of the children is a priority. It’s something we do with our health and human services facilities when the children are here and that’s going to be the priority we focus on,” Schlapp said.
The Department of Health and Human Services said children who end up in their facilities after separation from their family, the children receive food, medical care and educational services.
In the past, some school districts have voiced support for immigration reform.
Last year, El Paso School District superintendent Juan Cabrera it is their duty to educate all children who end up at EPISD schools and not enforce immigration laws.
In December, the Socorro Independent School District declared itself a “safe haven” for undocumented children. It said it would not allow immigration officers inside campuses without a warrant and with an approval by the superintendent.
EPISD and YISD have called for legislation that supports “dreamers,” children who were brought into the country illegally.
The proximity of the “tent city” has encouraged the education leaders to pledge their support for family unification for immigrant children.
