What happened when a tiny school district refused to ‘bend the knee’ to Trump and ICE
In Winooski, Vermont, where more than a third of children are English learners, a school superintendent is taking a stand to protect immigrant students
TL;DR
- Winooski High School, a diverse district in predominantly white Vermont, implemented a sanctuary policy to protect immigrant students from ICE.
- Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria refused to comply with federal directives against DEI efforts and prepared for potential funding loss.
- The district faced racist threats and operational challenges, including locked doors, after a video of a student raising the Somali flag went viral.
- Despite federal policies decreasing refugee admissions, Winooski has historically served as a refugee resettlement community.
- The sanctuary policy restricts immigration agents' access to campus and prohibits staff from sharing student data with immigration officials.
- A second-grader and his mother were detained by federal agents, and a student's family ultimately self-deported after seven weeks in detention.
- School staff have provided support to students, including acting as temporary guardians for those whose parents fear detention.