1 week Ago
Immigrant families enrich our community in countless ways, yet their contributions often go unnoticed and undervalued. As a former Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) teacher and current English as a Second Language (ESL) educator, I work with students and families from around the world. I see firsthand the determination, resilience and kindness that immigrant families bring to our community.
Here in Virginia Beach, immigrants are our neighbors, co-workers, students and loved ones.When I walk into my ESL classroom, I’m greeted by students who’ve faced more challenges than many adults ever will. They remind me daily how much immigrant families bring to our schools — not just academically, but in heart, culture and community.
One of my students often translates for their parents, works long night shifts, yet still helps classmates from other countries feel welcome. Most have strong work ethics that shine through in the way they engage with assignments, seek feedback and push themselves to improve. They also bring empathy and open-mindedness, supporting one another and creating a welcoming classroom culture.
Their presence doesn’t just enrich our schools — it strengthens them.Despite these contributions, many immigrant families in Virginia Beach now live in fear — especially about how schools might respond if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents show up. Families deserve to know their rights will be protected and that schools are committed to student safety — regardless of immigration status.
While federal laws such as Plyler v. Doe and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protect all students, those protections mean little if families don’t know they exist.Many counties and municipalities across Virginia have taken basic steps to support and inform immigrant families.
In Virginia Beach, however, those efforts are missing. In February, I spoke at a Virginia Beach School Board meeting and posed a simple question: What would happen if ICE came to a school? I followed up with emails to the superintendent and spoke at another board meeting, yet nothing changed. Despite my repeated outreach, the school division still hasn’t provided families and staff with clear protocols on how schools would handle an ICE visit.
I discovered VBCPS actually has internal policies about law enforcement visits, but they’re buried in board regulations that most families have never seen. This lack of clear, accessible communication leaves parents confused and school staff unprepared.When I hear Gov.
Glenn Youngkin describe immigrants as “dangerous criminal illegal immigrants” linked to “assault, rape and murder,” I think of my student who works nights to support her family, then comes to class on little sleep, still ready to learn. I think of my student who fled violence but leads his classmates in group projects with kindness and humor. Our leaders should elevate truth and compassion — not fear and division.
Sign up for Viewpoints, an opinion newsletterTaking concrete steps to support immigrant families isn’t just responsible — it’s urgent and essential. VBCPS must take the following steps:Provide transparency: Post simple “frequently asked questions” information about law enforcement visits on its website.Educate leaders: Train school administrators on how to respond to ICE inquiries.
Engage the community: Host a forum to address parent questions.Affirm commitment: Issue a public statement affirming student safety and privacy.These measures are not just necessary — they are a moral obligation to protect our students and families.
These are simple, proactive steps VBCPS can take right now. The longer VBCPS stays silent, the more anxiety it causes and the more unprepared it becomes if a real situation arises.If Virginia Beach is serious about creating and celebrating a welcoming, inclusive school system, it must treat immigrant families not as outsiders, but as neighbors and equal members of the community — just like the students I see every day.
Now is the time to act. Our students and families can’t afford to wait any longer.Clark Murphy of Virginia Beach is an ESL educator who has been a teacher for more than 17 years.
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