DEMING – The president’s administration is ramping up security at the southern border, but Deming school officials say they aren’t experiencing any delays.
For more than 50 years, Deming Public Schools has maintained an agreement allowing U.S. citizen children from Columbus and Palomas, Mexico, to attend school in Deming. Despite stricter immigration procedures in recent years, KOAT-TV reports that the system remains functional for the students involved.
More than 780 children, from kindergarten through 12th grade, cross the border daily to attend classes, passing through the port of entry. Deming School Superintendent Vicki Chaves reassured parents that their children are safe while at school.
She emphasized that immigration status records are not kept on students, though all must provide a birth certificate and other required documents for enrollment. The school district sent out a letter to address concerns about departments such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol coming into sensitive areas such as schools.
Chaves also noted that, to date, no immigration agents have attempted to enter Deming schools.