Letter: No Raids Yet, But the Fear is Real and Our Neighbors Need Our Vigilance and Support

There’s been concern in the community that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) may have conducted raids in Amherst’s restaurants today (January 30). Here’s what I’ve learned from visiting these locations and checking in with the Amherst Police Department (APD). Garcia’s, El Comilito, and Primo’s are closed today during established operating hours. Veracruzana is open and shared that they have a protocol in place in case authorities arrive, and they feel safe for now.

While ICE is not required to coordinate with or notify the APD if they plan to come in, the APD’s own inquiry confirmed that they were not in town today.

So, while there’s no confirmed raid, it’s clear that fear is already shutting down businesses. The fact that some of the restaurants are closing out of caution speaks volumes about the climate we are living in.

This isn’t speculation or fear mongering— this is real fear being felt by real families in our community. These are our neighbors, the families who run beloved businesses, who contribute to our community in countless ways, and who work hard every day to build a life here.

And under Trump’s latest orders, that fear is justified.

Regarding our schools, Trump’s Executive Order 14159 “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” revoked protections for “sensitive locations, places like schools, churches, and hospitals that were previously off-limits for immigration enforcement.

That means that, in theory, immigration agents could now show up at a school and detain a child.

For years, these protections ensured that children had a safe, uninterrupted education regardless of their immigration status. That safety net is now gone. Parents are facing an impossible decision: send their kids to school and risk being separated, or keep them home and sacrifice their education and stability.

I can’t pretend to know what it feels like to live with that fear every single day. But I do know that if I were in that position, I would be terrified. I would want to keep my children home. And yet, I also recognize the cruel reality that many parents don’t have that option. They have to work. Their kids need school, not just for education, but for meals, support, and a future. This is not a choice any parent should have to make.

This is a moment for us to recognize what is actually happening—not just the political spin. Undocumented does not mean criminal. But thanks to Trump’s policies, it does mean living in constant fear.

No parent should have to wonder if sending their child to school will mean never seeing them again. No child should have to carry that fear in their backpack.

This is not just about politics. It’s about humanity. And, from my perspective, we should all be paying attention and doing what we can to protect our neighbors and community members.

Michele Miller

Michele Miller is a resident of Amherst’s District 1 and a former Town Councilor.