Assistant Principal At Rhode Island High School Under Investigation For Soliciting Donations To FUND Human Traffickers

The emails suggest that the assistant principal, Stefani Harvey, was aware that the money raised would be used to pay off human traffickers and that the student's family was in danger.

On January 26, Harvey sent an email to staff members requesting $2,000 in donations for a student who needed to repay a "Coyote," a term used to describe individuals or groups that assist people in crossing the border illegally.

June 29, 2023

However, an earlier email exchange from January 6, obtained by PDE, revealed that Harvey had been informed by a coworker that the student had been brought to the country by human traffickers and that the student's family could be killed if the smugglers were not paid $2,000.

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In the January 6 email, a guidance counselor, whose name has been redacted, explained to Harvey that the student had been coming to school late because he had been working extra hours to pay off the coyote. The email stated, "When they come illegal, they usually give them a time frame to make a payment of $5000 dollars to those who bring them illegal. Our student has been working extra hours to pay them and to support his family in Guatemala. Not ignoring that this kid lives here by himself and has no support from anyone. He only owes $2000 out of the $5000, but if he does not pay that by February 1, they will kill his family in his country."

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Twenty days later, Harvey sent another email to staff members, explaining that an immigrant student had until February 1 to pay the coyotes $5,000 for bringing him to the United States.

After Harvey's January 26 email requesting donations, Ty'Relle Stephens, a member of the Providence Public School Board, expressed concern about the potential damage to the school's reputation. In an email to several staff members, Stephens mentioned that the media had accused a teacher of "knowingly aiding and abetting human traffickers," which had incensed right-wing extremists. Stephens called for a clear response from the school district to address these allegations.

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Initially, the school district claimed that the email was fake and denied having a student who was being trafficked. However, the school's principal later acknowledged that the nature of the request was inappropriate and announced that all funds raised for the student would be returned.

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Following Harvey's email, the assistant principal was placed on leave, and the Providence Police Department launched an investigation into the incident in February.

Marilyn Salabarria, the Director of Community Engagement at PDE, expressed concern about the situation, stating, "There are so many red flags in this story — how is it possible that an assistant principal would think it appropriate to fundraise for a human trafficking operation instead of alerting law enforcement? The assistant principal's email demonstrates a complete lack of knowledge that Coyotes are criminal human smugglers."

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Mount Pleasant High School, the Providence Public School District, and Ty'Relle Stephens have not yet responded to requests for comment.

The assistant principal's attempt to solicit donations for human traffickers has raised serious concerns and led to an investigation by the Providence Police Department. The emails obtained by Parents Defending Education suggest that the assistant principal was aware of the dangerous situation faced by the student and their family.

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The school district's initial denial and subsequent decision to return the funds raised indicate a recognition of the inappropriate nature of the request. The incident has sparked criticism and calls for a clear response from the school district to address the allegations.