Fear of immigration enforcement agents is gripping some immigrant families in Duval County. Volunteers are helping get their children to school without disruption.<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Concerns about immigration enforcement are fueling fear among some immigrant families in Duval County, with some parents worried about leaving their homes for something as routine as taking their children to school.<\/p>\n
A local mother told First Coast News those fears are already affecting daily life, which is why she’s stepping in and offering help.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t imagine not helping. I want my kids to be at school, I want families to have groceries on the table, I want families to feel safe,\u201d Gamble Scott, a mother of two, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA friend of a friend was contacted by a parent who expressed concern and fear about leaving her home to take her child to school, and I heard that and it broke my heart,\u201d she said. \u201cI don’t want families living in fear and I certainly don\u2019t want kids missing out on school.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott took to social media offering to help.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to offer up that there are many people, including myself, who would happily help with transportation if that helps kids get to school, where families can remain at home where that might be the safest place for them right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the response has been overwhelming, with messages pouring in from people needing help and others eager to provide it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is encouraging to see the compassion that a lot of people in our community do have,” she said.”<\/p>\n
At the start of his second term, President Donald Trump said he would no longer bar federal immigration agencies from making arrests at or near schools, churches and hospitals, ending a policy that had been in effect since 2011.<\/p>\n
Duval County Public Schools told First Coast News that there has been no ICE activity in DCPS schools. Officials shared that same message last year.<\/p>\n