Rumors of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity at a naturalization ceremony at Belleville West High School circulated social media Thursday, but both district leaders and police say they do not anticipate an ICE presence.
Belleville Township High School District 201 Superintendent Marshaun Warren sent an email to staff this week in response to questions about whether ICE would be present at Friday’s ceremony. In the email, Warren reiterated existing district guidance for interacting with the agency and said there would be an increased police presence on campus as a precaution.
Widespread concern grew after screenshots of that email were shared on social media.
“The District has not been contacted by ICE and has had no communications with ICE officials,” Warren told the Belleville News-Democrat in a statement. “The District has no reason to believe that ICE will enter onto District property. The guidance was issued to employees as a preemptive measure to ensure employees were aware of the procedures for interacting with ICE officials. The guidance requires employees to follow the law, nothing more and nothing less.”
Belleville Assistant Chief of Police Lt. Col. Mark Heffernan said that while ICE does not need to notify local law enforcement of any activity, the department “(does) not anticipate or have any intelligence that would indicate any problems should be anticipated at the ceremony.”
Additional officers will be on scene Friday to help with the larger-than-normal crowd, Heffernan said.
Belleville West Social Studies Department Chair Cyndi Oberle-Dahm said she expects nearly 600 students to attend, along with family and friends of approximately 100 people taking their citizenship oaths.
When asked what Belleville police can do to protect attendees, Heffernan said, “Belleville officers will follow department policy and the law.”
In addition to Belleville police, the judge presiding over the ceremony is aware of concerns about a possible ICE presence, Oberle-Dahm said. She said Judge Laura Grandy told organizers there will be U.S. Marshals at the ceremony — a standard measure for naturalization ceremonies held outside courthouses — and that she is confident ICE will not be present.
Grandy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Oberle-Dahm said social studies students who do not wish to attend the ceremony may follow their regular schedule, and students may also receive an excused absence with parental approval.
