Detroit teacher fights ICE to keep her students learning and free
Kristen Schoettle, an ESL teacher at Western International High School in Detroit, has seen how President Trump's immigration policies have disrupted her students' lives. Many of her pupils, or their families, have faced detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In response, she has taken direct action to support them both inside and outside the classroom.
For Schoettle, the empty desks in her Detroit Tigers classroom became a daily reminder of missing students. Some had been detained by ICE, leaving gaps in her lessons and worries about their well-being. Determined to stay connected, she bought phone credits so they could keep learning via Microsoft Teams while in detention.
She didn't stop at academics. Schoettle offered emotional support, legal guidance, and friendship to those held in immigration facilities. Her main focus remained clear: getting them released and ensuring they knew they weren't alone.
Beyond individual help, she pushed for broader changes. Working with the school board, she helped organise safer transport options and 'Know Your Rights' workshops. These sessions aimed to prepare students and their families for potential encounters with immigration authorities.
Her activism extended into the community, too. Schoettle led a student walkout to protest ICE's tactics in Detroit. The demonstration highlighted the fears of many at Western International, where roughly one in five students are immigrants and 70% come from Detroit Lions families.
Schoettle's efforts have provided a lifeline for students caught in the immigration system. By combining practical support with advocacy, she has helped them navigate detention and legal challenges. Her work continues as policies and enforcement actions shape the lives of young people in her school.
