dr. e. katherine (@actualkatherine.bsky.social)

Letter to Dr. Myriam Rogers, Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools On September 10, 2025, two heavily armed, masked and unidentified ICE agents chased, caught and detained two members of the community in front of public school grounds and then "paraded them in front of parents and students" at Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring in Montgomery County. Staff and students of the school who witnessed this event now have a traumatic incident indelibly connected with their place of learning. Just last week, ICE showed up to a Baltimore County Elementary School, necessitating staff intervention to bring children inside, and upsetting the community. Indivisible Baltimore County, along with concerned parents, caregivers, and community members signed below, respectfully insist on a comprehensive and lawful BCPS response plan for any and all future events involving ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and/or officials from any DHS (Department of Homeland Security) branch that take place on or near BCPS property. Such a plan must center BCPS's educational mission and prioritize the safety of our students. Students should not have to witness events that cause panic, fear and insecurity in a place where they are supposed to be safe. The adults charged with their wellbeing during the school day need to be prepared to act in accordance with the law to protect students for their safety and to ensure their academic success. Specifically, we are requesting: Transparency. BCPS must immediately share of any and all policies and protocols currently in place around this issue. "Know Your Rights" training for BCPS faculty so they are prepared to act in accordance with the law, fully exercise their rights and to protect the rights of students Training for BCPS faculty so that they can identify ICE/DHS & report their presence. The Montgomery County Immigrant Rights Collective is available and willing to conduct such training A response plan developed by community stakeholders for if/when ICE/DHS is identified and/or a detention takes place A notification system for parents/guardians to be informed immediately should any incident involving ICE/DHS occur on school grounds or near enough to be witnessed by students or staff A plan for enhanced/additional counseling for both students & faculty in the event that they witness a violent/traumatizing event A plan for intra-school communication to confirm events as they are unfolding in real time to avoid misinformation. That all of the above be developed with input from community stakeholders and appropriate experts (CASA recommendations here) and promptly shared with community members and BCPS parents and guardians. We welcome the opportunity to come together as a community to secure an academically focused, safe and nondisruptive environment for all students in our county. Thank you for the dedication you and your staff show in service of our students every day. We look forward to your prompt response. Signed, Concerned members of the the Baltimore County community https://tinyurl.com/bcpsready