Chelsea Schools Add Staff After ICE Activity Reported Near Campuses
Superintendent Almi Abeyta issued an advisory to families following reports of federal agents near drop-off zones in the Massachusetts district.
By Elena Perry ·
A handful of students missed class on Thursday in Chelsea, Massachusetts, following a district advisory that warned families about federal immigration agents operating near school entrances. Chelsea Public Schools Superintendent Almi Abeyta confirmed that staff observed agents near public schools on Wednesday. The district sent a notice to parents to inform them of the enforcement activity in the area.
Abeyta stated that her primary goal was to reduce anxiety among families who might hesitate to send their children to campus. The district increased its presence at dismissal times to reassure parents. She noted that the extra staff helped build trust with the community during the period of heightened activity.
The concern has spread to neighboring areas. In Revere, Carmen Chicas, a local parent, described the difficulty of comforting her daughter about the potential for family separation. Chicas recalled her child asking what to do if agents arrived. The parent said she now feels the need to mentally prepare her children for such encounters at all times.
Local advocacy group La Colaborativa reported a rise in immigration enforcement sightings in Chelsea and nearby towns. Executive Director Gladys Vega said her team walked students out of the high school on Thursday to help them feel safer. She recorded a video that morning showing agents questioning a man in the community. The agents eventually permitted the man to leave.
The man, who requested anonymity from NBC10 Boston, identified himself as a legal resident. He stated that he believes he was racially profiled during the stop and said he was still shaking after the interaction. Vega credited the presence of community advocates for the outcome. She said the agents had already placed the man in handcuffs before her team intervened.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) responded to media inquiries by stating it does not disclose details of its operations. The agency denied that it targets schools. Officials described claims of school-focused enforcement as a false narrative that unfairly demonizes agents. The agency's statement did not clarify whether agents were operating near the specific pickup and drop-off locations mentioned by the Chelsea district.
The district continues to monitor the situation while maintaining the additional staffing levels implemented after Wednesday's reports.
