A Chicago music teacher who revitalized a music program is facing deportation. According to news reports Anand Sukumaran was promised by the Chicago Public Schools that they would assist him in making sure his work visa was taken care of. Apparently this did not happen and they are now trying to remedy the situation. The deportation of Sukumaran would be a great loss to his students and to our field. We need more excellent music teachers in inner city schools not less!
This of course is not the first time a music educator has been prevented from teaching due to issues regarding immigration policies. In April 2007 the American Musicological Society posted a message on its website regarding the US government’s refusal to allow Dr. Nalini Ghuman, musicologist at Mills college, to re-enter the country after a research visit to the UK. Musicologists are clearly concerned over this situation and have engaged in a letter writing campaign.
As a field we should become more aware of music educators in need of assistance regarding these issues. If you think of any way we can assist Sukumaran leave a comment.