IMMIGRATION TOWN HALL


September 2017

The Immigration Town Hall held at CTA’s Marion Cannon Center for Advocacy on September 19th was a huge success. Community members and teachers came out to learn about changes to the Deferred Action in Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs. These programs impact many of our students, family members and employees. Many other community members were reached through Univision and UCF TV, which televised the event. Simultaneous translation was provided in English, Spanish and Creole.
Event organizers and panelists traveled from as far as Washington, D.C. and New York City.

At the Immigration Town Hall, panelists shared information and answered questions on undocumented status and the law. Brent A. Wilkes, Chief Executive Officer for the League of United Latin American Citizens shared a national overview of immigration law. Honorable Representative Amy Mercado (FL District 48) spoke about how Florida State elected officials are fighting to protect immigrants. Representing OCCTA, I spoke about the Trust Act, the push for a school board resolution, and parent, teacher and student rights regarding immigration. DREAMer Ivan Vazquez, from the Farmworker Association of Florida told his inspiring story and spoke about the challenge DREAMers face in this uncertain climate. Kira Romero-Craft, Associate Counsel, Latino Justice gave an overview of immigrant’s rights when interacting with Immigration & Customs Enforcement. CTA member and Colonial High School teacher Johanna Lopez discussed how students, teachers and families are affected by immigration. Finally, Rafael Palacio, Florida State Director, Hispanic Federation spoke about the community’s response to DACA announcement and how community-based organizations are providing resources to immigrant community. Paul Gamache from Univision Orlando served as the moderator.

I want to thank the CTA members who assisted at the event and our partners, AFT, the Hispanic Federation, Movimiento Hispano, LULAC, LCLLA, VAMOS4PR, and the UCF United Faculty of Florida for making the town hall a success.
The AFT has created a wealth of resources, know your rights materials, and other tools to promote welcoming classrooms and schools. All of these resources are available on the online at the AFT website and many are available in hard copy at the Marion Cannon Center for Advocacy.

President Doromal’s Remarks:
As the President of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, I speak on behalf of our members who support every student, every family member and every community member every day. I am the wife of a former undocumented immigrant, the mother of an immigrant child, and a life-long teacher who protected and advocated for every student who entered the door of my classroom, understanding that where a person is born is an accident of birth, but how we treat, welcome and include every person is a conscious choice.
As educators, we play an important role in defending the recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, undocumented students, refugees, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and their families from the threat of deportation. Instead of being punished for their immigration status, students and their families should be recognized for their sacrifice, hard work, determination and contributions that strengthen and enhance our communities.
Schools and communities must be safe zones and secure havens for all. Our doors must remain open to every person regardless of their immigration status, religion, language, race, sexual orientation, gender identity or country of origin. All education personnel have a responsibility to ensure that all children feel safe, welcomed and supported regardless of where they or their parents were born. We are committed, now more than ever, to fighting the xenophobic, racist rhetoric that has poisoned our national discourse and has made its way into our schools and communities. We must all advocate for safe and welcoming learning environments for all.
That is why in April this year, the Classroom Teachers Association voted unanimously to adopt a resolution that declares the Marion Cannon Canter for Advocacy as a haven and safe zone for all who enter. We urge the Orange County School Board to do the same for every school –to join other school boards across our state –Broward, Miami-Dade, Brevard and Palm Beach - to declare that Orange County schools are safe and welcoming for all.
Likewise, Orange CTA has joined with over 35 other community organizations to support the establishment of a Trust Policy and Order that will declare the City of Orlando an inclusive and welcoming city for each and every resident.Establishing the Trust Policy and Order will allow every Orlando resident to interact with local law enforcement, including reporting a crime, without fear of deportation for themselves or a family member. By allowing local law enforcement agencies to direct energy and resources to community policing and improving public safety, our city will be a safer place. No family should be torn apart, no child should live in fear, and no immigrant should live in the shadows.
The September 5th announcement terminating DACA is a betrayal of the values of our diverse and welcoming nation. Being an American should not be determined merely by a piece of paper. Over 850,000 immigrant youth covered by DACA know no other country but the United States. They are students, teachers, nurses, doctors, volunteers and first responders. They are business owners, neighbors, friends, and this fine young man sitting with me tonight. DACA was created with the understanding that our country is strengthened when we value people and create opportunity for everyone to achieve the American dream.
As children return to school, many carry with them uneasiness, fear and uncertainty because of their immigration status. Children should be free to learn in a joyous atmosphere, free of fear. Inhumane immigration policies deprive them of that freedom. No child should be carrying photos of family members and mementos in their backpacks, because they are afraid that their parents may not be there when they arrive home. Children should not be afraid to go to school because they fear separation from their families. The chronic and paralyzing fear that results from increased enforcement actions by ICE is an affront to the work we do every day as educators.
There are basic rights and protections afforded to everyone regardless of their immigration status. The September 5thannouncement to terminate DACA has no impact on those rights. Plyler v. Doe, the 1982 landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, ruled that undocumented children have a constitutional right to receive a free public K-12 education, regardless of their citizenship or residency status. Schools may not stop a student from enrolling because the student lacks a birth certificate or a social security number, or has a record that indicates a foreign place of birth. No school may refuse a student from enrolling because his or her parents or guardians lack a driver’s license or state-issued ID.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 also protects immigrant students who may have become homeless as a result of having a loved one deported.
Additionally, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), schools are prohibited, without parental consent, from providing information from a student’s file to federal immigration agents if the information would potentially expose a student’s immigration status.
The AFT has created a wealth of resources, know your rights materials, and other tools to promote welcoming classrooms and schools. AFT has an immigration collection of resources for educators and school support staff to defend DACA recipients and the educational success of undocumented and refugee students. Colorín Colorado put together a collection of resources for schools and educators to address the needs of students who are immigrants or children of immigrants. Teach Human Rights, is an AFT platform which includes lesson plans to address the unique needs of Muslim and refugee students. All of these resources are available on the online at the AFT website.
We must stand united for the rights and protections of every student and every one of their family members. Together we must fight for the dignity and respect for all who call America their home. We must stand united to demand passage of the DREAM Act and legislation that will provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of students, families and neighbors working and living alongside us. We must stand united to fight for our community members with Temporary Protective Status, and end the threat of deportation and separation of families.
We must stand united in the fight to strengthen what is best about our country. Instead of using our differences as weapons to fuel fear among each other, we must come together as a community and nation to celebrate our differences. Thank you for standing with us tonight.

No comments:

Post a Comment