Recently, I’ve heard directly from youth in our schools — many carrying a weight far too heavy for their young shoulders. Some are afraid to leave their parents and family members, fearful that someone might swoop in and take them away.
Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in and around Santa Barbara County is creating uncertainty and fear. Even for those not directly impacted, we know that children absorb the stress and tensions in their surroundings. What happens to the children directly affected by ICE, separated from their families and left holding a bag of unknowns?
Most of us have zero direct control over federal policy. But we do have control over what we stand for. In Santa Barbara County, communities reflect a wide range of deeply held beliefs and lived experiences. We have friends, neighbors, colleagues, and family members on opposite sides of the political aisle. That’s part of living in a democracy…