Riverhead Charter School issues precautionary alert after reported ICE activity near local school bus stop

Riverhead Charter School sent a preventive alert to students’ families Tuesday after receiving reports of the possible presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents near a local school bus stop in Riverhead. 

Riverhead Charter Superintendent Raymond Ankrum said the safety notice was distributed directly to parents during the afternoon through the ClassDojo platform so families could receive the information immediately.

The message, however, quickly spread beyond the school’s official channels. Within hours, the alert circulated rapidly on social media, WhatsApp groups and other community messaging applications. Several parents who asked to remain anonymous told Tu Prensa Local that, if the information proved true, they appreciated the school alerting them. However, they agreed there is a palpable sense of fear within the community, especially among those in vulnerable immigration situations.

“You no longer know what’s true and what isn’t, and even if you have papers, they can grab you just because of how you look,” said the mother of a middle school student. “The only thing we can do is support each other and stay alert.”

According to the superintendent, the decision to issue the alert came after several parents and a member of the school board reported observing ICE activity in the area near a stop for bus 312. The message was sent “out of an abundance of caution” to keep the community informed and reinforce family safety.

“True leadership means prioritizing the peace and safety of the community above all else. When families in our neighborhood experience uncertainty or fear, it is our responsibility to step forward and provide reassurance,” Superintendent Ankrum said. “Our commitment to protecting our students and ensuring they have a safe environment in which to learn is absolute. We will always work to ensure our families feel supported, respected and safe.”

In the notice sent to parents, the school recommended that families remain aware of their surroundings during student drop-off and pick-up times, walk with others whenever possible and remember the basic constitutional rights of all people, regardless of immigration status.

The notice also reminded families that people have the right to remain silent and to request a warrant signed by a judge before consenting to searches or answering questions.

At this time, there has been no official confirmation regarding the presence of federal agents in the area.