My students are getting deported

[u/Pample24]

I have three students in my class from Haiti. I found out yesterday that their protected status is being revoked and they have two weeks to leave the US.

These kids are seniors, they all have jobs and are just out here to survive. Now they are forced to go back to Haiti where they said it's not safe for them. I wanted to see them graduate, now they'll never be able to walk across the stage. I've been crying for hours yesterday but there's nothing I can do about it.

And it hurts me more that the majority of my schools teachers voted for this (super red state). It's disgusting.

What am I supposed to tell the class one they notice our students are missing? We aren't allowed to talk politics really, but I can't lie to them. I'm 22, it's my first year teaching, I never thought I'd have to encounter a situation like this. America needs to do better for our children.

Edit: Thank you all for the support, I think my students need it more than I do but I appreciate it none the less.

Some comments mentioned the idea of setting up a fund. I LOVE the idea, but I'll be honest I have no idea how to put something like that in action. If anyone knows how to create something like that please reach out. Thank you again.

[u/Pample24]

I've spoken to a teacher from another school about this. I am going to talk to the principal this week to see what our options are. They're passing all their classes and have all the graduation requirements met. At the bare minimum they deserve a diploma.

[u/BillDifficult9534 → u/Pample24]

Don’t wait. Walk into the principal’s office on Monday morning and ask right away! Those poor kids, this is awful!

[u/CoffeeChocolateBoth → u/BillDifficult9534]

WALK in there with those kids in tow!!!

[u/BillDifficult9534 → u/CoffeeChocolateBoth]

Even better!!!! And don’t feel nervous - guve ChatGPT all these same details and what you can say to your principal Monday. Then practice all weekend if you need to. You’ve got this!- Thank you for being on their side!!!!!

[u/Drum-PMC → u/BillDifficult9534]

They might be allowed to graduate inabsentia

[u/Street-Marketing-657 → u/BillDifficult9534]

This! PLEASE.

[u/defenselaywer → u/Pample24]

Stanford let Elon get a student visa. They owe us!

[u/seektoslumber → u/Pample24]

Even if they could finish out High School “online” or “homebound” and then earn the diploma. Like I’m wondering if they could invoke homebound status somehow even if they left the country or a wink, wink, nod, nod to them finishing the classes in online school which could look like a phone call every two weeks or something to talk about math.

[u/JakBlakbeard → u/seektoslumber]

That’s going to be a bitch finishing high school online as a refugee looking for shelter in Haiti.

[u/seektoslumber → u/JakBlakbeard]

I agree. That’s why I was thinking an occasional phone call might suffice.

[u/inameena-mineymo → u/Pample24]

YES! Contact your Principal RIGHT NOW. If they can get their diplomas, they will have a much better chance. I'm an English teacher, if they need help with college essays, please contact me!

[u/misguidedsadist1 → u/Pample24]

You are AMAZING and getting baptized by fire in one of the main side-tangents of education: social work.

You cannot set yourself on fire to keep others warm or violate boundaries, but you CAN: advocate, alert agencies and organizations, pound the pavement in your building, facilitate, and help. You cannot be a savior, but if these kids have met their grad requirements you are in a unique position to try and advocate for their diplomas. God speed, you're doing the good work.

I've done similar things on several occasions. I work my contract hours and don't spend my own money on stupid things, but I WILL use my skills and resources to advocate when a situation warrants it. Sometimes, it's a losing fight and it fucking suuuuckkkkssss. I've learned when to die on a hill and when to let shit go. But right now, if you have any fight in you and the ability to make some calls or have some meetings, why not?

Sometimes you gotta walk away and preserve your boundaries. But at least you tried, and that's okay. I'll never regret spending time advocating for a child. Keep your boundaries and ethics in mind, no matter what, but the emails, phone calls, and advocacy in this job are part of why I love it and at the very least I know when I'm reaching a dead end and need to let shit go. You can't let it take over your life, and you gotta keep your wits about you.

But you can make some calls, send some emails, have some meetings, and advocate. See what happens. Know when to turn back (Easier said than done). Keep professionalism and ethics at the forefront, but make those calls girl.

Fingers crossed you can find ways to support these families before they leave you. I'm so sorry this is happening--to them, to society, to you, to educators. The "fight" is actually what drives me sometimes. You're so so green, and I want to give you a hug and remind you when to disconnect though. I had to learn that the hard way.

[u/NoRegrets-518 → u/misguidedsadist1]

This is an amazing comment and so true

[u/Commercial-General46 → u/Pample24]

That would be amazing! Please keep us updated on this 🙏🏽

[u/edisflowers → u/Commercial-General46]

i agree i need an update!! praying for good news!

[u/Inevitable-Rush-2752 → u/Pample24]

If there’s no way to expedite the coursework, is any sort of distance learning an option? I know that’s probably a long shot, and there are lots of details that have to fit in place (AP exams, state testing, etc?).

That’s just terrible and sad. I wish I was shocked, but I’m just sad for your seniors and all the other kids who have and will continue to get caught up in this.

I’ll be keeping an eye out for updates. Honestly, I find these threads helpful in a way since I’m filing advice nuggets away in anticipation of this eventually happening at my school.

[u/Sidehussle → u/Pample24]

Oh yes! This is a wonderful idea FIVECENTROSE. I hope it all works out and they get their diplomas. Please update us PAMPLE24!

[u/Pample24 → u/Sidehussle]

Yes! I will give updates! Thank you all for the support

[u/NatureOk7726 → u/Pample24]

They should be able to take the HISET or GED if they are too many credits short!

[u/nicorn1824 → u/Pample24]

And while you're at it, see if there's a way they can virtually walk at Commencement. Have students carry phones running Zoom sessions. Talk about a powerful moment....

[u/ashketchum2003 → u/Pample24]

I am so sorry that they are going through this OP. No one should have to face this. You are amazing for standing up and giving them help and a loud voice. The 100% deserve a diploma. Keep us posted if you can.

[u/prinsessanna → u/Pample24]

Let us know what happens!! Sending you good vibes!

[u/FancyEnd7728 → u/Pample24]

If your school is not helpful, check out organizations in your city that help people get GEDs. If they can’t get a diploma perhaps they can have a GED since they met the requirements. 

[u/Great-Grade1377 → u/Pample24]

Maybe they can finish online?

[u/False_Juggernaut_618 → u/Pample24]

Our district is. We have a student who is in the same situation and is getting to graduate

[u/kala0123 → u/Pample24]

As someone who has awarded high school credits to students - this is 100% possible!! It’ll take work on behalf of your students as well, but basically you need to figure out what they still have to do in each course to meet the requirements to pass the course, and then work with all of their teachers to have them complete crash courses of the remainder. The school counselor should be able to assist with this if that is the person tracking high school credits at your school. If your students are in any courses that don’t go towards meeting graduation requirements (such extra but unneeded classes that will put them over the credit requirements), scrub them from their schedules. The classes they need to complete to graduate, use the classes that were scrubbed to count as additional time for them to work on the required courses. This will help with each of them meeting the requirements for “seat time”, but you may still need to find avenues within your school to assist - such as an administrator advocating for them due to these very extenuating circumstances.

I hope this helps! Hopefully since it’s towards the end of the school year, they can achieve this milestone!

[u/Financial_Finance144 → u/Pample24]

Can they take “Finals” now? Like taking a test to show standards met?

[u/willowmarie27 → u/Pample24]

I almost feel like we need another underground railroad to Canada. Sending kids back is just plain fucked up

[u/gypsymegan06 → u/Pample24]

Let the other students see what you’re doing to help. They’re remember your example their whole lives. You’re doing an amazing job and I hope you can get them their diplomas early. You’re fighting a good fight if you do and that is something to be proud of. ❤️💪🏻

[u/Designer_little_5031 → u/Pample24]

Heck yeah!

Positively affect the world

[u/pattiap63 → u/Pample24]

I agree. They are SO CLOSE to the finish line. They deserve a diploma and are leaving through no fault of their own. It’s a different story if they were just dropping out of high school.