1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

Dear Governor Hochul, I am a parent of young children who attend daycare and preschool here in New York. I am deeply alarmed by the incident in Illinois this week, where armed ICE agents wearing masks followed a teacher into a locked daycare facility, forcibly detained her, and led her out in front of terrified children and families. Reports indicate no judicial warrant was presented. It is shocking and heartbreaking that such an event occurred in a space meant to keep children safe. As a parent, I can only imagine the fear and trauma experienced by the children and staff. This reckless detention could have easily caused physical harm to a teacher or a child. The disruption also likely left the facility in an unsafe state, with classrooms temporarily understaffed and attention diverted from caring for infants and young children. No family or educator in New York should ever face this kind of unnecessary danger. Parents deserve to know that when we drop off our children, they are safe. Our early education teachers and supporting staff come from many different backgrounds and may have immigration statuses that puts them at risk of being profiled by ICE. Our communities rely on these people every day and we should ensure that they are safe in these sensitive spaces that are so crucial to our communities here in New York State. I urge you to take action to ensure this never happens in New York. Please consider issuing executive guidance making clear that armed civil immigration enforcement is prohibited in daycares, schools, hospitals, and shelters without a judicial warrant or urgent public safety need. Also consider committing to signing S8539, the ICE Free Zones Act, once it passes the Legislature and strengthening the New York for All Act. Thank you for protecting New York’s families, educators, and children.