Denny Middle School Protecting Students From ICE

Update:

May be an image of 2 people and text that says 'Kate Cagle @KateCagle BREAKING: Los Angeles Unified School District confirms plainclothes federal agents tried to question kids at two elementary schools in Los Angeles Monday but were denied entry by administrators. Superintendent Carvahlo said the agents claimed they had parent permission to question the kids, but it wasn't true. Prem Thakker Thakker @prem_thakker Plainclothes agents. Trying to question elementary-aged kids. And lying that they had parents permission to do so.' 

end of update

 

 From the West Seattle Blog, messaging from Principal Mary Ingraham:

It was brought to our attention that a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle was seen in the Southwest Athletic Center parking lot today.

The recent announcement regarding the removal of protected areas from immigration enforcement and the possibility of ICE entering schools to deport students is deeply troubling to our district and community.

Our school and the SPS Safety and Security team responded immediately and effectively, and our school remains entirely safe. We also followed district procedures regarding immigration. Because our 8th grade students were outdoors on the field during lunch, we brought them inside early.

Please know at no point were our students or staff at any risk. We acted proactively to ensure safety. It is confirmed that the vehicle has left the area.

I spoke directly with 8th grade students because we believe in being transparent in our leadership and with our students. I explained to them that their safety is our priority, and we acted out of an abundance of caution.

As a reminder, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) remains steadfast in our commitment to providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments for every student, regardless of race, religion, national origin, immigration status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

We are deeply committed to the well-being of every student, family, and person in our care. Thank you for trusting us to look after your children each day.

Warmly,

Principal Mary Ingraham
Denny International Middle School

 

 

Comments

Unknown said…
At risk of what?

Those are federal law enforcement officials.

Would there be the same response if a King County Sheriff's deputy parked on campus?

What lesson is Principal Ingraham teaching here?

SP
4/10/25, 5:26 AM
Anonymous said…
SP, there is a huge difference between ICE lurking around a school campus and KC Sheriffs or SPD parked outside. The danger is that ICE could pick up (kidnap) an allegedly undocumented child without any notification to their parents, lawyers, etc. In case you haven't been reading the news, ICE has been disappearing people and shuttling them around the US and beyond (renditioned to another country, not necessarily the country of origin) without legal due process for the accused. In the last Trump admin, they literally ripped families apart. Shortly after the latest inauguration, the feds announced they would be removing the special protection held by schools and places of worship to be off-limits for immigration arrests. Once a person, child or adult, is in ICE's custody, all bets are off.

Kudos to Principal Ingraham and the Denny staff for doing the right thing. I hope all schools in are area are cognizant of the threat to kids and families by ICE and are prepared to do the same.

--ICE Watcher
4/10/25, 10:48 AM
Melissa Westbrook said…
Ditto for ICE Watcher. There is a huge difference and you know that. No matter what, ICE should not come for kids at school or church. But we know who lifted that.
4/10/25, 1:58 PM
Anonymous said…
In addition, besides real ICE kidnapping people, there have been reports of ICE-labeled vehicles in a couple of suburbs of Seattle that could be used in these scary times to kidnap people for human trafficking. I am thankful the principal brought the kids in. We don't need more separated families.
NESea mom
4/10/25, 3:40 PM
Anonymous said…
SP,

How would you feel if an SPS student ended up- up in a prison cell in Venezuela with no chance of getting out?

-Hmm
4/10/25, 10:34 PM
Anonymous said…
What a shameful episode of irresponsible and clueless actions by everyone involved - the Principal, SPS , SPD (for not communicating) and the media for not being the media but purveyors or rumors. Those children you claim to care for do not need more anxiety piled on them. As bad as the federal government is, the local institutions here are as bad if not worse. WOW!
4/11/25, 11:31 AM
Unknown said…
I agree. Look at the way the people on this thread are dealing in escalating "could" statements. This is politicized fear mongering, and it's doing Trump's work for him.

SP
4/13/25, 5:53 AM
Melissa Westbrook said…
Unknown, you say this AFTER I put an update here about LA school district. How you think this helps Drump is beyond me but fear mongering and cruelty are part of the GOP brand.
4/13/25, 8:12 AM
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