Resources from AFT

Booklet

• Immigrant and Refugee Children, A Guide for Educators and School Support Staff
  This excellent 30-page booklet includes an educator’s FAQ about immigration raids, what do if ICE comes to your door, and things educators can do to protect undocumented children and their families.
  Also in Spanish

FLYERS

• Know Your Rights A single-page factsheet on the rights of immigrants
  Also in Spanish
• Defense to Deportation Set of four concise factsheets (listed below)
  Also in Spanish

1. Things families can do to prepare for an ICE raid
2. 15 things educators and support staff can do to protect undocumented students
3. What to do if ICE comes to your door 
4. Creating a family immigration raid emergency plan​

POSTER

• DREAMers Welcome: Post this powerful poster

Websites

• Protecting Our Students is AFT’s one-stop shop for resources on immigration issues.
• AFT All In provides AFT positions and resources including Threats to Immigrants.
• Share My Lesson offers dozens of lesson plans for all grade levels on a multitude of immigration-related topics as well as resources from the AFT, the ACLU, and the Anti-Defamation League.
• Colorín Colorado! highlights important resources for schools serving immigrant students. 

Resources from other organizations

Booklets and FACT SHEETS

• Frequently Asked Questions for Faculty  The American Association of University Professors and AFT created an FAQ for member education and local union use. Informed by faculty experience, this FAQ is designed to prepare academics for the possibility of increased attacks on campus.
• Immigrant and Muslim Ban ToolKit The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee prepared this toolkit for students and educators who may be impacted by the Trump administration’s executive orders on immigration. Find out who these orders directly affect and what action to take.
• Undocumented Students and Families: The Facts is a two-page summary prepared by the Association of California School Administrators outlining the rights of students, staff, and parents.

PRESENTATION

• AB 540 & Undocumented Students A Powerpoint shared by faculty members from the Los Rios College Federation of Teachers. It covers AB 540 and the California Dream Act and can be adapted for local use.

WEBSITES

• American Civil Liberties Union offers a comprehensive and easy-to-use question-and-answer section on numerous topics such as from ICE raids, demonstrations and protests, and anti-Muslim discrimination. Some videos in Spanish.
• Immigrants Rising explains the use of Individual Tax ID numbers (ITINs) and how to continue employing individuals who do not have DACA.
• National Immigration Law Center has created Deportation Defense Cards in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Spanish and English. You can also find hotline numbers to report ICE activity in your city and extensive DACA resources. 
• Southern Poverty Law Center tracks hate crimes because it’s important to know what’s happening and where in order to craft policies and responses to defend and defuse. Report hate crimes here. 
• Teaching Tolerance offers a guide “Immigrant and Refugee Children: A Guide for Educators and School Support Staff.”
• United We Dream leads immigrant youth-led campaigns and offers extensive resources for DACA recipients. 

Sample resolutions

Many school and college districts have passed resolutions asserting their right to keep public education safe for all students. You will find a resolution protecting public schools, model language for declaring a college a safe zone, and a sample letter for higher education campuses.

• Sample resolution protecting public schools
• Sample letter of petition to create sanctuary space on college campuses
• Model language for declaring college campuses safe zones

On March 22, 2017, CFT joined an amicus brief filed on behalf of public schools and educator associations.

• Amicus Brief

Classroom lesson plans

“Teaching After the Election of Trump” from The Zinn Education Project offers ways to show students, for example, how social movements have made strides during dark times, and highlights examples of “divide and conquer” politics.

“Voting and Elections: Resources for a Civil Classroom” from Teaching Tolerance and the Southern Poverty Law Center gives lots of ideas for lessons on subjects including responding to bias, participating in civic life, and an educator’s guide to religious diversity and the immigration debate.

Edutopia has comprehensive lesson plans mostly created before the election, but with video links and lessons on topics such as the Electoral College.

The New York Times Learning Network offers lesson plans on current events, social studies, and other subjects. 

Statements from California elected officials

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, on January 30, 2017, announces, “Our schools are not and will not become an arm of the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement. Instead, they will remain safe places for learning and teaching for all students, regardless of immigration status.” 

Joint statement from Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount): “California is — and must always be — a refuge of justice and opportunity for people of all walks, talks, ages and aspirations — regardless of how you look, where you live, what language you speak, or who you love… California will defend its people and our progress.”

Gov. Jerry Brown, in his State of the State speech on January 24, 2017, vowed to do everything in his power to protect all Californians.