ICE Arrest Triggers Backlash Amid Possible Acero School Closures
Parents, teachers, and community members gathered at the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education headquarters on Thursday to protest the closure of seven Acero Schools, a well-established charter network.
The closures come at a time when families are already facing immense challenges. Just this week, a parent was detained by ICE agents after dropping off his children at school, adding to growing fears within the community. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and local leaders demand that CPS take action to ensure a safe and supportive environment for students and families.
“We have parents being grabbed from our schools. We gotta wonder, what is CPS doing to protect our children?” – Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th)
“I saw my mother, my teachers, and my younger brother cry because they thought they would lose the school that made me who I am today.” – Luis Del Gado, Acero graduate
Parents have been actively fighting to keep Acero Schools open for over a year, emphasizing that school closures would add to the trauma their children already face. Community members continue to demand that Chicago Public Schools protect their students, their families, and their futures.
