Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1234752
EDUCATORS Before an ICE raid: • Make it clear to students that your classroom and school are safe havens for all students. Do not inquire or make assumptions about students' immigration status. • Either provide resources only to students who ask for them or make information and resources available to all students. If your district does not make information available to students, use the resources at cta.org/forallstudents (for educators as well). During an ICE raid, educators should: • Immediately refer ICE agents to the district office or principal's office. • Call United We Dream's hotline (844-363-1423) to report a raid and send a text to 877877. • If possible, take photos and videos, and notes on what happened during the raid. District officials should: • Ensure that a parent, guardian or designee is present if a student is questioned by an enforcement agent on school grounds. • Ask to see the enforcement agent's credentials and warrants and why he or she wants to interview a student, to make sure that the reason is within the scope of ICE's authority. • Ask the enforcement agent what evidence of reasonable suspicion he or she has to justify the interview. • Encourage enforcement agents to interview students outside of school hours and off school grounds. For more information, available in multiple languages for students and families, go to cta.org/iceraids. AND THEIR IMPACT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a component of the Department of Homeland Security charged to enforce customs and immigration laws. UPDATED APRIL 2017 U.S. President Donald Trump has promised an uptick in arrests and deportations. During the first months of the new presidential administration, there have been reports of an uptick in ICE raids and immigration-related arrests. These incidents have included arrests involving schools and students. On March 3, 2017, an undocumented father driving his 13-year-old daughter to her school in Los Angeles was arrested by ICE agents. ICE Raids Schools should be safe havens... While a 2011 ICE memorandum had designated schools as "sensitive locations" that should be free from ICE arrests, interviews or searches, it is not always followed. As a precaution, in February 2017, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlak- son encouraged school districts to make themselves "safe havens" for undocumented students and restrict ICE officials from entering school campuses and instructing employees not to provide student immigra- tion data to federal officials. ...so students can feel safe. Schools are responsible for students in their care, and should be aware of who is on their campus. Attendance falls when there is fear in the community connected to a local ICE raid. Teachers, yard duty supervisors, and other school staff have the responsibility to protect students and should not be placed in a position to make a decision that might interfere with ICE agents. To avoid confusion, the principal should coordinate with ICE agents if necessary. Before a Raid Make sure students and parents understand their rights.You can make sure your students have access to information about their rights if the district makes the information available. Do not inquire or make assumptions about students immigration status. Either provide resources only to students who ask for them or make information and resources available to all students.If your district does not make information avail- able to students, you may direct them to a resource or organization, such as www.cta.org/ForAllStudents. Work with your district to develop policy and pass a resolution declaring your schools "safe zones" for all students. Sample policy language and resolution at cta.org/ForAllStudents. The federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits a school district from disclosing personally identifiable information in student education records. On the other hand, school districts can disclose "directory information" without consent unless families have opted out. Make sure: District and educators do not include immigration status in education records. District does not include place of birth in directory informa- tion and parents know they can opt out of directory informa- tion disclosure. District does not release data without subpoena and legal advice. During a Raid, district officials should Ensure that a parent, guardian or designee is present if a student is questioned by an enforcement agent on school grounds and: Ask to see the enforcement agent's credentials and warrants. Ask the enforcement agent why he or she wants to interview a student to make sure that the reason is within the scope of ICE's authority. Ask the enforcement agent what evidence of reasonable suspicion he or she has to justify interview. Encourage enforcement agents to interview students outside of school hours and off school grounds. * * * * #WeAreCTA | cta.org RESOURCES at cta.org/ForAllStudents CTA has developed the Advocating for All Students: A Social Justice Toolkit to provide resources for educators to be prepared to ensure our schools are safe havens for all students. This tool kit will help you: Create a safe zone for your students Encourage your local school board to adopt the resolution and join us in supporting unity, resolve and resilience in our schools Report incidents Speak up and share on social media Know Your Rights EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS: STUDENTS Inform your students of their constitutional rights. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center website (ilrc.org/red-cards) offers downloadable, printable "Know Your Rights" cards in multiple languages, which students can show to an immigration agent. Students should know: • Don't open the door if an immigration agent knocks on the door. • Don't answer any questions from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent. • Don't sign anything without first speaking to a lawyer. • If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave, and if they say yes, leave calmly. SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR ALL Stand with me! Stand for... #WeAreCTA 28 cta.org feature