New Trier Students Say School Is Suspending Volunteer Work With Immigrants: Report

WINNETKA, IL — Students at New Trier High School who regularly volunteer in Chicago with migrants and refugees say the school is pausing their work due to the increased presence of federal immigration enforcement in the city, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune.

Students who are a part of the school's Social Service Board say, in the last two weeks, their group has seen some of its volunteer work suspended by the school. The group's sponsors cited a rise in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, according to sophomore Zoe Dillon.

Niki Dizon, New Trier's chief communications officer, told the Chicago Tribune that the school is giving additional review to requests to travel in the Chicagoland area amid enforcement and protests. Field trips and other off-site visits have also been affected by the change.

Student volunteers who spoke with the Tribune said they understand the school wants to keep them safe most of all, but the situation makes them feel powerless.

"It makes the school look a little bit bad, because we back out at the sign of danger,” one student told the Tribune. “These kids and these families who are actually affected by ICE, we can’t support them when they need it the most.”

Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America, one of the organizations the students volunteer with, said the last time they heard from New Trier was on Oct. 14. Dillon has spoken with several administrators to discuss student safety in hopes that the school will lift its restrictions.

Read more from the Chicago Tribune: Students say New Trier pausing their volunteerism with immigrants due to ICE