(CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY) The Camden City School District is warning families that immigrant students aged 14 and older may receive letters from Immigration and Customs Enforcement about an ICE voluntary return option that includes a one-time $2,500 stipend if a young person chooses to return to their home country.
District leaders say they are alerting families now so they are not surprised by mail that could arrive without notice. Advocates working with the district say some people have labeled the effort “Freaky Friday,” though ICE says that description is inaccurate and calls the reports about such a program “categorically false.” The agency states it is offering a voluntary path for certain unaccompanied children to request return, with any financial support paid only after an immigration judge approves the young person’s request and the child arrives in their country of origin.
District advisory and ICE response
According to district guidance shared with community partners, the Camden Schools warning reflects growing concern that letters could land in mailboxes of families with teenagers—especially 17-year-olds, who are the initial focus—without clear legal explanation.
The district stresses that any student who receives a letter should speak with a trusted adult, advocate, or licensed attorney before making any decision. “Voluntary return” is a term often used for leaving the United States on your own while an immigration case is pending rather than waiting for a removal order.
ICE says the current option targets unaccompanied children who are in the custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and are not from Mexico. The agency rejects the “Freaky Friday” label and says the program is a voluntary choice, not a forced outcome.
Officials note that if a child decides to depart, the $2,500 is a resettlement support stipend and would only be issued after:
1. An immigration judge grants the request, and
2. The child safely arrives back home.
ICE officials also emphasize that the letters, if sent, would not change a student’s immediate rights in school or the community. Still, district leaders worry that a cash offer aimed at teens could sway decisions that carry long-term risks.
Advocates in New Jersey and beyond raise alarms that money tied to a life-altering immigration choice can pressure youth who may lack full legal help. They argue that meaningful legal guidance, not financial incentives, should shape these decisions. Community groups working with families say many teens are still in the middle of their immigration cases and may have strong claims to remain in the United States based on humanitarian protections, but could feel rushed if a deadline or dollar figure appears in a letter.
What families should do now
The district’s message to parents and guardians is direct: a letter about ICE voluntary return is not a removal order, and it does not cancel a student’s right to attend school.
Families should:
– Keep sending children to school. Education rights remain unchanged.
– Seek legal advice immediately. Talk with a licensed immigration lawyer or a trusted nonprofit if a letter arrives.
– Avoid quick decisions. Ask for a full explanation of what “voluntary return” means for the child’s case and future.
– Keep copies of any letters and envelopes. These details can help a lawyer understand deadlines and next steps.
Local organizations supporting families include:
– Camden Center for Law and Social Justice
– Immschools
School officials say they do not know the exact timing of any mailings, but they are preparing families so that no one makes a decision without proper advice.
Wider context and possible impact
The federal government’s offer of a $2,500 stipend for unaccompanied minors aged 14 and older who choose to leave the country is part of a broader effort to encourage self-deportations among youth in federal custody. It applies to children in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, with Mexican nationals excluded from this option.
While ICE says participation is voluntary and subject to an immigration judge’s approval, attorneys and school advocates worry that teens—especially those close to 18—could feel pressured to act quickly. They emphasize that a cash offer does not replace a full legal review of a child’s case.
Advocates also warn of safety risks:
– Some unaccompanied minors fled violence, trafficking, or family harm.
– Returning without a careful plan could expose them to the same dangers.
– Groups argue the government should fund legal screenings and family reunification efforts rather than incentives that might distort a young person’s choices.
For Camden families, the stakes are personal. Many students juggle counseling, English classes, and court dates while trying to heal from difficult journeys. School social workers say even the chance of an official letter can cause fear that interrupts learning and attendance. The district’s rapid communication aims to lower that fear by making clear that receiving a letter does not mean a student must leave or stop attending school.
ICE maintains the program is limited and structured with safeguards. Any stipend would come only after a judge approves the voluntary departure and the minor arrives back in their home country. The agency also says it is not using the “Freaky Friday” name and disputes claims that it targets children outside the unaccompanied minor system.
Legal consequences and questions families should ask
Policy experts note that immigration procedures can be confusing even for adults. For teens, choices around voluntary return carry major consequences. A decision to depart can:
– Close doors to future relief, or
– Make it harder to come back legally later.
Lawyers urge families to ask detailed questions, including:
– What legal options does the child have to stay?
– How would voluntary departure affect those options?
– What are the long-term travel and safety implications?
– What steps follow a judge’s approval, and who supervises the child’s travel?
For authoritative agency information on enforcement and voluntary programs, families can consult U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Officials say people should rely on official sources and trusted legal providers, not rumors or social media posts.
District actions and community support
The Camden school district plans to keep sharing updates as it learns more. Staff are coordinating with community partners to:
– Hold information sessions
– Provide legal clinic referrals
– Ensure translation in multiple languages
Counselors and teachers are also trained to look for signs of stress and connect students with support. Families with questions can contact their school, reach out to the Camden Center for Law and Social Justice, or speak with organizations like Immschools.
Community leaders in Camden say the goal is simple: help every family make informed choices, based on clear facts and sound legal advice—not fear or confusion.
District officials repeat one more point: letters do not end a child’s education. As the Camden Schools warning explains, students should keep attending class and take time to seek advice. Even if an ICE voluntary return letter arrives, it’s vital to pause, review options, and understand the real-world impact.
As with many immigration issues in the United States 🇺🇸, the right next step depends on careful guidance tailored to the child’s situation.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Camden City School District warned families that immigrant students aged 14 and older may receive ICE letters offering a voluntary return option with a one-time $2,500 resettlement stipend. ICE says the program targets unaccompanied children not from Mexico and that any payment would be issued only after an immigration judge approves the request and the child reaches their home country. District officials emphasize that such letters are not removal orders, do not affect school attendance rights, and that families should consult licensed immigration attorneys before taking action. Advocates warn monetary offers risk pressuring vulnerable youth and call for legal screenings and family reunification support instead of financial incentives.
