PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Camden City School District officials are warning families that immigrant children 14 and older may receive threatening letters from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Advocates said the letters may include strongly worded threats of punitive action or offers of payment to leave the country.
In a letter sent to the school community on Sunday, the district warned of a potential new ICE program referred to as “Freaky Friday.”
Davida Coe-Brockington, acting state district superintendent, said the district has consulted with the Camden Center for Law and Social Justice and the organization Immschools, which first informed officials about the program.
The Camden Center for Law and Social Justice said the strongly worded letters could include threats of detention upon turning 18, offers of $2,500 to return to one’s country of origin, warnings that one’s parents may be arrested, and requests to waive one’s rights or withdraw one’s immigration case.
The school district emphasized that receiving a letter like this does not change a child’s rights. Coe-Brockington said children should still be sent to school every day for their benefit, adding, “We are sharing these resources to keep our families informed, not to alarm or cause confusion.”
Families are encouraged to show such letters to trusted adults, advocates or lawyers.
There is no indication of an increased ICE presence at Camden schools. The district said it does not collect or share immigration status information, nor does it assist with immigration enforcement on campus unless legally required to.
ICE said “Freaky Friday” is a made-up term and calls the allegations “categorically false,” adding that it’s offering minors a voluntary option.