With how easily it is to be the target ot ICE, it’s not surprising parents are incredibly protective and strict on personal information. And with ICE, it can be used against you to glean your background. One Arizona mother shared on TikTok a school project her child brought home. For a moment, it sounds like a cute way to share culture, but given the cruelty of ICE, the project takes on a grim note.
It’s scary and telling that children and parents have to be afraid of the consequences and what it could mean if they reveal too much. TikToker Kim_cookz, Kim, comes on camera and states, “There’s a time and a place for everything,” then shows off a multi-page school project, each page dedicated to your background and where your family immigrated from.
It was even played off like a “family project.” A note was sent with the paper, and the school noted, “We also understand for some there may be hesitation to include specific details about immigration status, family history, etc.” So the school understands what’s at stake, then? Why would any parent in their right mind let their child do this project?
Some of the items the project touches on are where your family comes from and who arrived first. It even asks what drove them to come to the US. What many people may not realize is that you’re offering up this information freely, and it could be used against you.
Kim says the school her children go to is “predominantly” white. So, kids whose family arrived from different countries would certainly stand out. She understands she’s in the minority here, but argues the “majority” wouldn’t have a problem with this project then.
However, Kim also shares that the grandfather of one of her daughter’s friends even felt uncomfortable by it. “I think they’re asking for too much information. What do they need this for, ICE?” Kim claims they said.
Most of the top comments were in agreement. Kim wasn’t crazy. One commenter suggested, “Don’t turn it in… Let your student get an F on that project.” Maybe they’ll come down with a cold and have to take off that day.
Another shared that their son had a “family tree” project in third grade. Although it was “fun” for them, “now is NOT the time to be doing this,” they argued.
One commenter spoke up about seeing the same kind of project in Hawaii, but said it was more “intrusive.”
It’s not just inappropriate, but downright malicious to have your students do projects like that right now. As a teacher, you should be protecting children, not opening them up to harm.
