PEAK Initiatives is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all youth, families, and staff, regardless of immigration status. Below are established guidelines for responding to requests or actions by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ensure the privacy and security of the PEAK community.
PEAK Initiative is committed to protecting the rights and privacy of all participants, families, and staff. To this end, PEAK will not voluntarily cooperate with or assist ICE in any immigration enforcement activities unless legally required to do so by a judicial warrant or other court order.
This policy applies to all participants, families, staff, volunteers, contractors, and visitors at all locations, including year-round and seasonal programming.
Key Principles of PEAK’s Safe Haven Policy:
Safe Environment:
PEAK will ensure that all participants are provided a safe space, regardless of their immigration status. PEAK activities and spaces will not be used for immigration enforcement.Limitation on Information Sharing:
PEAK will continue its practice of not collecting or retaining information about the immigration status of participants, families, or staff unless required by law.
Personal information, including rosters, addresses, and emergency contact details, will not be shared with any unauthorized individual or third party without a court-issued warrant.
Limit Access to PEAK Properties:
PEAK will continue its practice of not granting access to any property or facilities to unauthorized individuals, including ICE agents, without a valid and verified judicial warrant. Staff are instructed to immediately notify the PEAK's Executive Director or legal counsel if approached by DHS/ICE agents.Staff Training:
Staff will receive training on this policy, including:How to respond to inquiries from ICE.
Procedures for identifying and responding to a judicial warrant.
How to refer inquiries to the appropriate organizational leadership or legal counsel.
Legal Compliance:
While PEAK will not voluntarily cooperate with ICE, it will comply with all applicable laws. In the event of a legal mandate, PEAK will take steps to inform affected individuals and their families and consult with legal counsel to minimize any potential harm.Emergency Preparedness:
The camp will develop and maintain a plan for responding to potential immigration enforcement actions, including identifying legal resources and support networks for families and staff.Partnerships and Advocacy:
The camp will collaborate with local community organizations and advocates to support families and advocate for policies that protect vulnerable populations. PEAK will also review off site field trip destinations ahead of time to avoid areas that may put participants at risk.
Reporting and Accountability:
Staff are required to report any ICE-related incidents or inquiries to the Executive Director, Director of Operations & Finance or the Lake Valley Camp Director. Leadership will maintain transparency with the PEAK community while protecting individual privacy and confidentiality.
Non-Retaliation:
PEAK strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual who acts in good faith in accordance with the policy outlined.
Resources
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) has a dedicated website with frequently updated information. The links below will take you to resources through MPS.
Milwaukee Turners (MT) updates their information weekly.