By Comfort Asemota
Durham Neighbors Unite to Protect Immigrant Families from ICE Enforcement
Before the school bell rang on the morning of 19 November, dozens of parents—mostly fathers—gathered outside schools across Durham, North Carolina. Tired from late-night meetings and constant group chats, they handed out whistles and gloves before taking positions along school perimeters.
These parents formed informal “welcoming committees” for students arriving at school while also serving as community watchdogs against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This followed a statewide campaign in North Carolina ahead of Thanksgiving, during which federal immigration agents patrolled neighborhoods, shopping centers, and other public spaces. ICE arrests in North Carolina doubled in 2025 compared to the previous year, totaling 3,400 from 20 January through 15 October.
In Durham, where 35% of public school students are Latino, community members quickly mobilized. Norma Portillo, PTA president at Club Boulevard Elementary and an immigrant mother from Honduras, organized rideshares for families too afraid to leave home to take their children to school. Local networks ramped up food pantry deliveries, distributing resources to families across the district.
“I am so touched by how the community is willing to help people,” Portillo said. “We not only respect each other, but we care for each other.”
Durham schools have historically served as community hubs for immigrant families, and November’s response was no exception. Parent-teacher networks provided rideshares, coordinated food deliveries, and relied on local organizing experience to protect students from potential federal enforcement actions.
Dean Fitzgerald, father of an elementary school student, has been among the parents patrolling school drop-off areas. “Mostly, we need parents to feel safe bringing their kids back to school,” he said. “So they know who’s watching and who’s picking up their children.”
Some community members without children, like Jeana, also stepped in after spotting unmarked SUVs with masked individuals nearby. “There are people in my neighborhood terrorizing my neighbors, making them feel unsafe,” she said.
Parents report that children are aware of the fear their families face. Natalie Kitaif, a PTA member and mother of two, said her kindergartner talks about friends worrying that their parents might be detained.
Teachers have been instrumental in supporting families and students. Holly Hardin, a middle school teacher at Lakewood Montessori, said, “Durham has always been home to courage and resiliency in the face of oppression. This is about intentional care for each other, larger than any one group.”
The community’s organizing roots run deep. In 2016, ICE arrested Durham high schooler Wildin Acosta on his way to school. Teachers, students, and parents mobilized for his release, eventually succeeding after months of advocacy. That experience strengthened networks that continue to protect families today.
Durham’s city government has also acted. In September, the city council declared Durham a “Fourth Amendment workplace,” requiring judicial warrants for federal agents entering private spaces. Council member Javiera Caballero, an immigrant from Chile and former PTA president, has been a leading advocate for immigrant protections.
Grassroots groups like Durham Public School Strong (DPSS) formed in response to the ICE threat, rapidly mobilizing thousands of volunteers to support families. “We have to be bold, assertive, and creative,” said DPSS founder Magan Gonzales-Smith.
Parents and teachers continue to push the school district for clear policies to protect students in the event of ICE or CBP presence on campuses. Current policy directs federal agents to coordinate with superintendents, but many argue it is insufficient.
“Having a plan reduces anxiety,” said Megan McCurley, director of a bilingual preschool serving mostly Latino families. Hardin recalled a student asking after the 19 November bell: “Will you let ICE come into our schools?” Teachers and staff strive to provide reassurance, though recent policy changes under the Trump administration removed some “sensitive location” protections for schools.
Durham’s parents, teachers, and volunteers remain steadfast, demonstrating the city’s tradition of community solidarity and organizing to protect immigrant families from federal enforcement actions.
