DETROIT (WWJ) -- Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti say Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity is contributing to absenteeism in the district.
Some parents, Vitti says, have been afraid to bring their children to school, for fear that they could be picked up by ICE agents.
During Thursday night's State of the Schools address at Renaissance High School, Vitti spoke about what he called "the attack" on undocumented immigrants across the country, including in Southwest Detroit.
"I think all of you agree that where we're at is an un-American space. It's not focued on children; it's not focused on family," Vitti said.
Reporting from Southwest Detroit Friday morning, WWJ's Charlie Langton said some businesses are also closed, in fear of ICE.
"The recent pictures of the ICE shootings, the arrests, and even the sightings are causing many here in largely Hispanic Southwest Detroit to be nervous," Langton said.
Langton has been speaking with parents, including Melissa Cervantes, who said she's seeing fewer people out and about. And she's even heard about parents keeping their children home from school.
"That, too! Kids are scared to go to school," she said. "I heard they're gonna do home online school because of that, because of what's going on."
"I don't like that," Cervantes added. "It's scary; it's scary for the people in the community. If I was them, I wouldn't want to step out either."
Vitti said, in 2025, 61% of students missed more than 10% of the school year.
Vitti noted that, so far, immigration agents have not attempted to enter any DPSCD buildings. Under the law, they would need a warrant to do so.
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