Salem Officials Pledge 'Unwavering Support' For Immigrant Students

SALEM, MA — Salem school officials pledged "unwavering support" for immigrant students and families, and said they will not coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or share identifiable information with federal immigration enforcement agencies, in a joint statement released on Friday afternoon.

"Salem Public Schools is deeply dedicated to supporting our immigrant students and their families," Pangallo and Zrike said. "This commitment reflects our core value of belonging: the belief that every member of our community is welcome, valued and respected.

"We recognize that this is a difficult and stressful time for our immigrant students and families. We want to reaffirm that you have our unwavering support and we are steadfastly resolved to uphold our commitments in the coming weeks and months."

Pangallo and Zrike reiterated Zrike's statement at Tuesday's School Committee meeting that the district will not inquire about or record any information about a student's immigration status.

• 'Schools Are Protected': Salem Immigrant, LGBTQIA+ Student Fears Rise

They said the district will also not coordinate with ICE, or share information about students with federal enforcement agencies without parent or guardian consent, or a lawfully issued subpoena or court order.

Any contact to the district from ICE will be directed to the superintendent's office, which will then consult with legal counsel. Bus drivers have been notified to keep students on buses if they suspect that there is an unauthorized person waiting at a student's stop.

Resources are also available to assist children who may be separated from their family or caregiver because of immigration enforcement, and for students who are experiencing fear, stress or anxiety.

"In Salem, the lessons and legacy from our community's own tragic history inspire us to be a place that works to center trust and unity, and that supports our neighbors," Pangallo said in a separate statement Friday night. "We know that division will never create a safer or more secure community — it will only undermine it.

"For almost 400 years Salem's shores have welcomed waves of newcomers from across our world. They have, for generations, put down roots and raised up families here. They have shaped and built the incredible city we all love today and Salem is the better for it."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)