HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaii Department of Education and Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz are reaching out to several teachers, who were reportedly investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to HIDOE, there was an incident involving agents at a private residence, housing several international teachers on Maui.
Officials said the teachers are employed through the U.S. Department of State’s J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program, which allows educators from other countries to work here legally.
HIDOE added that the teachers are safe and accounted for, as the situation was resolved on-site with no arrests made.
In a statement, Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz called the incident “outrageous” and “a shameful abuse of power.”
We are a nation of laws, but the broad ICE raids this week are clearly designed just to instill fear. Our teachers, our visitors, and our neighbors deserve dignity and safety, not fear of seemingly arbitrary harassment.
Sen. Brian Schatz (D) Hawaii
Officials said Sen. Schatz and HIDOE are in contact with one another to offer assistance to teachers impacted by the raid.
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KHON2 has reached out to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment and is waiting to hear back.