Washington school district cancels meeting to prepare families for 'immigration raids' under Trump presidency

A public school district in Lynnwood, Washington has canceled a controversial meeting for families to learn how to prepare for “immigration raids” where they would have learned how to deal with ICE agents ahead of Trump’s presidency. One of the participants in the meeting was scheduled to be the Mexican consulate.

Meadowdale High School in the progressive Edmonds School District was to host the forum. The district’s communications director Curtis Campbell told the Lynnwood Times, "We believe it is in the best interest of families and staff to not hold the event at this time."  

The district had previously defended the meeting and said in a statement, “In recent weeks, our family resources and advocacy staff have heard concerns from families about mass raids and deportations based on public comments made by officials in the incoming presidential administration. In response to those concerns, the district’s Equity Alliance for Achievement council is co-hosting a “Know Your Rights” event on December 17 at Meadowdale High School.”

The district noted that the event is “similar to one recently hosted by the Shoreline Police Department and is focused on the possibility of the impact such actions would have on some of the families we serve.”

According to the district, “The event will feature legal experts who will: "Present information on the rights individuals have if their workplaces or homes are involved in immigration raids/actions, provide guidance on how families can prepare plans in case of arrest or detention, such as planning for the care of their children, answer immigration-related questions, and offer information and guidance related to immigration documents and processes.”

The district claimed it was not paying for any of the speakers but just providing space at the school for the event.

Progressive organizations such as the ACLU and the Northwest Immigrants Right Project, typically provide information to illegal immigrants about their rights. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that over 246,000 illegal immigrants live in Washington state and approximately 40 percent have children under the age of 18.

Democratic Governor-elect Bob Ferguson told The Seattle Times this week that he had “no problem” with deportations of “individuals who are criminals” under existing policies/law & acknowledged the president has broad legal authority on immigration, despite previously holding a press conference to announce that he was preparing to fight the Trump administration. While he was Washington’s attorney general, Ferguson sued the Trump administration over 100 times.

Earlier this week, the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the US government has the authority to deport illegal immigrants following a case brought by officials in Washington state attempting to stop ICE from using a local airport.