AFT Pledges to Support Immigrants in Face of Trump Presidency
In the wake of Donald Trump winning the presidency after a campaign that often targeted and scapegoated immigrants, Latinos and Muslims, the AFT has pledged to take concrete action to assist these groups, with a particular emphasis on assisting and defending undocumented students. AFT President Randi Weingarten said AFT will "do everything in our power to stop any kind of action against our immigrant families, our Muslim families, our Latino families and especially our undocumented students."
Specifically, she said that the AFT will:
- Support cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and others as they reaffirm sanctuary status for immigrants and, in some cases, establish municipal ID programs to protect immigrants with no identification from being detained unnecessarily.
- Help members establish and maintain sanctuary status in schools, colleges and communities.
- Provide guidance and resources for teachers, staff and faculty to support and prepare undocumented students and their families for changes in immigration law—including basic "know your rights" advice on how to handle a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid and what to do if family members are detained.
- Provide lesson plans to address the social, emotional and mental health needs of all children and promote diversity and inclusion.
- Urge the government to reaffirm that children cannot be barred from enrolling in public schools based on their or their parents' immigration status.
- Participate in a national week of mobilization, education and action Jan. 9–14, spearheaded by United We Dream and other immigrant advocates, and in a day of action Jan. 19, organized with the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools.
AFT Pledges to Support Immigrants in Face of Trump Presidency: