Immigration enforcement actions have become an increasingly pressing concern for educators and school communities. This Know Your Rights video provides essential guidance for educators on protecting students' rights and responding appropriately to potential immigration enforcement situations in schools. All students have a constitutional right to public education regardless of immigration status, and schools must remain safe, welcoming spaces for learning and growth. But it's still important that educators understand what their legal bounds and requirements are in these situations.
Key topics covered:
- Legal background on students' rights to education and protection from discrimination
- Understanding Safe Zone policies and how schools can implement them to protect students and families
- Specific protocols for responding to ICE or CBP agents at schools, including proper verification procedures and student privacy rights under FERPA
- Guidance for educators about their own immigration status, including updates on DACA and H-1B visa considerations
- Information about appropriate advocacy and free speech rights for educators outside the workplace
The video is part of NYSUT's ongoing commitment to supporting public schools as centers of their communities while defending members' rights to free speech, academic freedom, and due process under the law.