ICE donates computers to Portland/Vancouver area schools

PORTLAND, Ore. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is donating over 100 surplus computers to four schools through the federal government's Computers for Learning program.

Following a recent office-wide computer upgrade, ERO employees set out to find schools that could use the surplus computers. Head Start of Yamhill County, Ore., Quatama Elementary in Hillsboro, Ore., Willamette Valley Christian School in Brooks, Ore., and Glenwood Heights Primary of Battle Ground, Wash., were selected as donation recipients. The total value of the computers donated is estimated at $10,000.

"ERO officers, employees and their families live, work and go to school in these communities," said David Drasin, assistant field office director for ERO Portland. "Everyone knows school budgets are tight these days. Finding schools that can use our surplus computers is a win-win situation for students and taxpayers."

Within hours of advertising the computers on the Computers for Learning website, ICE began receiving dozens of inquiries. There were more inquiries than there were surplus computers.

"[We are] thrilled to be the recipients of computers through this program." said Suey Linzmeirer, Director of Head Start of Yamhill County. "We are a non-profit agency funded through grants, and have a very limited budget. This opportunity is helping us to bring more technology to more people in our organization."

For Glenwood Heights Primary, the donation will make a computer lab possible for the rural community school.

The Computers for Learning program, administered by the U.S. General Services Administration, allows federal government agencies to transfer excess computer equipment to schools and educational nonprofit organizations, giving special consideration to those with the greatest need.