In a recent initiative, the NYC teachers’ union is providing training to educators on protecting migrant children and families from potential encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) both at home and in public places. This effort goes beyond the city’s existing guidelines that focus on keeping ICE out of schools.
During Zoom sessions held last week, leaders from the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) encouraged teachers to distribute “red cards,” a resource developed by immigrant advocates to outline the constitutional rights of asylum seekers when facing ICE officers. In a workshop led by UFT representative Katie Kurjakovic, teachers were advised on how to handle situations where ICE might approach their homes.
Teachers were instructed not to open the door if ICE comes knocking and to remain silent. It was emphasized that opening the door even with a safety chain on could be misconstrued as allowing ICE entry, so it’s best to keep the door closed and assert one’s right to remain silent by saying “I plead the fifth.” For non-English speakers, slipping a “red card” under the door was suggested as an alternative.
The “red cards,” created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), contain statements asserting an individual’s right to silence and refusal to be searched without a warrant, along with a declaration that ICE does not have permission to enter the home.
UFT provided teachers with access to printable versions of the cards through their website, which also features a list of resources for immigrant students and families. While some schools in the city have started distributing these cards following recent immigration enforcement actions, some principals are awaiting official approval from Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos before doing so.
Despite the distribution of “red cards,” the Department of Education (DOE) and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs have not included them in their official guidance. Instead, they focus on advising migrants not to open their doors for ICE agents, to remain silent, and to ask for a judicial warrant if necessary.
Although the efficacy of the “red cards” remains uncertain, immigration lawyer John Cavallo expressed skepticism about their ability to deter ICE agents, citing a recent raid in Newark. Nevertheless, advocates hope that these efforts will help ensure that ICE operations align with constitutional rights.
Photo: Migrant parents accompanying their children to school buses from a shelter at the Collective Paper Factory hotel in Long Island City. Kevi
By C. Downs for NY Post
During the Zoom workshop, Kurjakovic advised teachers to instruct students and their families to only carry a library card or another form of identification issued by the city. He emphasized, “We have been informed by our immigrant advocacy groups that it is crucial for individuals to avoid carrying any documentation that may indicate they were born in a different country, as this could potentially lead to inquiries and complications.”
A high school teacher who participated in the Zoom session expressed doubt, stating, “The UFT needs to refrain from instilling fear. ICE has not conducted any searches within our schools thus far, and it is unlikely to occur unless there is a case involving a minor who is in the country illegally and has committed a serious offense.”
The teacher pointed out that UFT President Mike Mulgrew is facing opposition in the upcoming union election in May. The teacher remarked, “He appears to be merely engaging in performative gestures and campaigning, showing little concern for the well-being of the union members or the students.”
