Screenshots of internal emails obtained by Alpha News show that Hopkins Public Schools (HPS) held a forum for immigrant families to hear about “their legal rights in the face of imminent deportation or the like.”
Dr. Stanley Brown, the equity and inclusion coordinator at HPS, sent the email to district principals and urged them to contact “Latinx parents/caretakers” to inform them of the immigration forum that was held on Wednesday, Feb. 26 in the district office. The email was also sent to members of the district’s school board.
“For obvious reasons, please do not print this message for public distribution or send it home in your weekly home letters,” wrote Brown. “You may forward this email to your building teachers, so that they can personally invite immigrant parents and/or caretakers. Please instruct them not to send it publicly.”
He then said being approached by an immigration officer can be a “demeaning and disturbing” experience.
“It is imperative that our students and their family members know their legal rights in the face of such experiences,” he said.
Alpha News also learned of an email that was originally sent from Principal Eduardo Navidad of HPS’ Alice Smith Elementary School. Navidad’s email, which appeared to be forwarding Brown’s email, told staff to “familiarize yourself with this event that will be hosted this Wednesday in our district office.”
“While we do not want to publicize this in our newsletters, we do want to pass on the information word/mouth with our families,” added Navidad.
According to Brown’s original email, Brown and another district staffer invited legal counsel from the Minneapolis Wilson Law Group to attend the event and “speak with our immigrant families about their legal rights in the face of imminent deportation or the like.”
At the forum, a meal was served and the email asked principals to make an effort to be present.
“Hopkins remains committed to being a district where all are welcomed, respected and loved,” wrote Brown. “As you well know, we are living in very challenging times in terms of immigration and the fear that many of our students and families are finding themselves.”
HPS recently announced a partnership with Metropolitan State University’s School of Urban Education to recruit more teachers of color. “This is a very beneficial partnership for both Hopkins Public Schools and Metro State University, as it gives both institutions the ability to recruit and retain teachers of color,” Brown said.
The district did not respond to Alpha News’ request for comment regarding the forum.
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
