New York City public schools provide ICE training for immigrant students to reduce family anxiety.

On the eve of President Trump’s inauguration, some parents are concerned about the possibility of large-scale deportation raids, causing them to keep their children out of school. In response to this, New York City public schools have begun providing training and guidance on “Know Your Rights” to students and their families. The school’s aim is to help students understand basic legal knowledge and strategies, especially on how to deal with enforcement officers from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

During the training sessions, the school explains to students and teachers the legal rights they have on school premises, emphasizing that all students, regardless of their immigration status, have the right to receive public education. When enforcement officers visit the school, they are required to provide identification and other documents, which will then be sent to the Education Department’s legal advisors for review to confirm if the officers are allowed to enter the school.

In the absence of parents or lawyers, students have the right to refuse to answer questions about their immigration status. Furthermore, the school actively encourages school administrators, teachers, and counselors to attend training sessions to ensure they can provide timely assistance to students.

The New York City Department of Education also offers parents legal consultations and resources to help them understand how to handle potential investigations or enforcement actions, while reminding them to keep communication open with their children to prevent the spread of panic. Multiple schools are partnering with community organizations to hold seminars on “Know Your Rights,” providing immigrant families with more information on visas, green cards, and citizenship.

With the uncertainty surrounding the new federal government’s immigration policies, New York City public schools hope that through these trainings, they can convey a clear message to all families: the schools will do everything possible to ensure students feel safe on campus.