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Immigration Justice

Supporting Immigrant Families and Students
Let’s work together to create immigration policies that are humane, functional, and just.
Published: May 12, 2023
This toolkit originally appeared on NEA.org

How to use this toolkit

  • Learn about current immigration issues and the status of DREAMers and DACA recipients.
  • Find out how your school can become a safe zone for immigrant students and communities in the face of harsh immigration enforcement.
  • Take action for fair and just immigration policies.
Viewing: Toolkit Section Title

Where we stand

CONTEXT

More than 18 million children under age 18 have a parent born outside the United States—and nearly 40 percent of them live in households where neither parent is a U.S. citizen. Dreamers, DACA recipients, individuals with temporary protected status, and other immigrants play a vital role in our economy and everyday lives.  

We support commonsense immigration reforms that include: 

  • Addressing the millions of students and young adults who were brought here as children by their parents 

  • Preserving family unity 

  • Creating a realistic, humane, and legal path to citizenship and strengthening labor protections for the aspiring citizens who call America home  

  • Ensuring that all individuals who arrive at our borders have a right to seek asylum 

  • Providing resources for mental health and migration-based trauma  

  • Fostering a welcoming environment for all children and educators, regardless of the language they speak or immigration status 

We are joining together with people across racial differences to demand fair and safe immigration processes for all families, just like we won civil rights in our past. We can make this a place that honors all families, no exceptions. 

How We're Supporting Immigrant Families

DACAmented Educators outside the U.S. Supreme Court

Defending Dreamers

Immigrants play a vital role in our economy and lives. Learn how we are coming together to advocate for a path to citizenship for Dreamers.
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DACA Ruled Unlawful by the Fifth Circuit. Here's What Happens Next.

A federal appeals court struck a major blow to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, leaving thousands of recipients, including 9,000 educators, in limbo.
A child appears behind a fence

Educator Training

NEA and Education-Austin developed a PowerPoint training for educators to support immigrant students and their families.
Alondra García
America is the only home I can remember, and yet I feel alienated and unwelcome. It’s mentally and emotionally draining to ... get people to understand that my family is as American as any other.
Quote by: Alondra García, Wisconsin, Second Grade Bilingual Teacher

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Make your Campus a Safe Zone

A pragmatic approach to immigration is critical for our students — the center of our communities. All students should have the opportunity to learn without the fear and distress that results from harsh immigration enforcement. Educators are witnessing the impact of this trauma on our students, their families and our communities firsthand. Many school districts are making their campuses “safe zones” for immigrant students and communities. You can be part of this movement.

Viridiana Castro Silva
We need a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S. This would be such a victory for all of us and would solidify years of grassroots organizing.
Quote by: Viridiana Castro Silva, California, Aspiring Educator

Put Your School District on the Map

Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, Omaha, Miami, Nashville, Pittsburgh… these are just a few of the scores of cities and communities across the country where school districts have passed their own safe zone resolutions. Click on the map below to see where school districts have passed or are considering Safe Zones policies to protect our immigrant students!

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Members have access to exclusive Members Only content and resources on GAE.org. Create an account today!
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We Are the Georgia Association of Educators

The Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) is Georgia's preeminent professional association for public school employees. We are a member-led organization supporting students and educators in Georgia's public schools through grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and legal action.