Immigration enforcement, also known as ICE, has been even more active and severe in our community, and overall, the state of Illinois. While many think that this is something that has to be done and is completely okay, there are protesters and allies that say otherwise.

Recently, there have been many ICE sightings in our community. In downtown Aurora, in Naperville and even in downtown Oswego, right by East. In Aurora, community members gather together to protest against ICE and spread awareness to the many innocent people that are getting deported.

On Oct. 9, the mayor of Aurora joined protesters in downtown to show support for those who have been severely affected by ICE and the raids going on in Aurora.

Joshua Werner, a senior at East, was asked what he thinks of ICE’s tactics on taking people.

“It shouldn’t be done this brutally or at all. I’m not hispanic, but it scares me to think that some of my hispanic friends and their families could get taken away and that they are terrified. It’s not okay,” Werner said.

Not only is ICE taking hispanic people because of their past records, they are also seen to be taking people because they look hispanic, which is very unconstitutional. Lots of protesters that are not even hispanic are being detained and arrested.

Jasmine Gallegos, a senior at East, tells us what she thinks about ICE and how it affects her.

“I feel like it’s something more people should become educated on. I think taking the time to even just read an article about what is going, will help. It has not affected me as severely as others but it does make you question your safety,” Gallegos said.

David Perez Gomez, a senior at East, briefly explained how he feels about ICE.

“It’s hurting more than helping. I have a mini fear that if we get stopped, something might happen and also I see friends that are more in fear than us and that they don’t want to go out too much now,” Gomez said.

Thankfully, East is taking extra precautions for the well-being and safety of every student by making sure that immigration enforcement should never appear at the school. Teachers and staff have been provided with the correct information and steps should any federal agents come to our building.

People all over our community are in fear about what might happen to them because of ICE. Families and friends are terrified and are suffering because of their losses. In the future, we hope this can all come to an end and that ICE stops targeting people that are innocent.

If you need to report ICE sightings or any suspicious activity, contact the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights at (773-312-9250).

Written by seniors Sofia Martinez and Jacob Kalecki. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.