15 Things educators, school support staff and communities can do to help protect undocumented students and their families

Help protect undocumented students and their families.

Organization Source:
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) 

Organization Website:
https://www.aft.org/ 

Categories:
Family preparedness (FP) | FP – Protect Undocumented Students and Families

 Date Last Updated: February 21, 2025 

Version en Español

1. Inform students and their families of their rights.
2. Stress the importance of taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of children and entire communities.
3. Distribute “know your rights” materials to students and communities about what to do if a raid occurs or an individual is detained.
4. Find out if there is a local immigration raid rapid response team in your community. These teams usually consist of attorneys, media personnel and community leaders who may be able to provide support.
5. Partner with a pro bono attorney, legal aid organization or immigrant rights organization to schedule a “know your rights” workshop on campus to inform students and families about their rights.
6. Provide a safe place for students to wait if a parent or sibling has been detained.
7. Provide counseling for students who have had a family member detained by ICE.
8. Maintain a list of resources, such as the names of social workers, pro bono attorneys and local immigration advocates and organizations, that can be shared with your students and their families.

9. Identify someone at your school who can serve as the immigration resource advocate in your building or on your campus.
10. Work with parents to develop a family immigration raid emergency plan.
11. Make your school an ICE-free safe zone by pushing for policies that protect student privacy and records.
12. Work with your school board to pass a resolution affirming schools as safe havens and welcoming places of learning for all students, distancing the schools from enforcement actions that separate families.
13. Issue statements condemning raids and calling for the immediate release of students.
14. Get involved with local civil, human and immigrant rights groups and create a list of resources to help undocumented students access private scholarships, fellowships and job opportunities.
15. Pledge to support and work with undocumented students and families.

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