Elementary school turns away immigration agent looking for student
A New York City elementary school turned away an immigration agent who showed up without a search warrant on Thursday to look for one of its students.
The agent showed up unannounced at P.S. 58 in Queens, New York, asking about one of the school's 4th grade students on April 11, according to Eric Phillips, a spokesperson for mayor Mayor Bill de Blasio's office.
Although school officials ultimately refused to tell the agent where the child was, the incident has left the community on edge.
"As a mother, I am deeply troubled and horrified at this attempt on the part of federal immigration agents to reach any child in our schools," said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.
"P.S. 58 officials did the right thing by following proper protocols of the city administration, stopping the agents at the door and protecting their students."
In response to concerns raise by parents, New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina said a letter would be sent out this week so that everyone "from the school custodian to the highest level of school administration" would know to handle this type of situation.
"In our schools we protect our students and our families and want to reassure parents that no information is ever given to any federal agent," she added.
According to WPIX, New York state law entitles all students ages 5 to 21 to a free public education, regardless of immigration status.
Schools are urged to call their superintendent and school attorney if ever approached by an immigration agent.
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