NEA Shares Guidance as Immigration Changes Create Uncertainty

As a history and ethnic studies teacher at Santee Education Complex in Los Angeles, Angelica Reyes has witnessed firsthand the anxiety gripping her students over the looming threats of mass deportation by the incoming Trump administration. Following the recent presidential election, she asked her students to reflect on their fears and hopes in an exercise that underscored the deep uncertainty they face.

"I'm worried about my sister—and if my dad were to be deported—what would happen to her? I'm thinking about other people and how we're gonna all be impacted," wrote one of her students. 

Another student expressed, "I'm thinking about Trump. He said he was going to deport all immigrants. I need to know that my family will be safe." Despite the uncertainty, this student held on to hope: "Something that gives me hope is that there's people fighting back."

For Reyes, an undocumented educator who relies on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to work, these fears hit close to home. She noted the ripple effects of recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sightings in her community, which have heightened anxieties.

“Folks are really, really nervous about going to school [or even] buying groceries,“ she said during NEA’s “Home is Here” webinar in January 2025, held to address the challenges immigrant students face.

Who isn't nervous? Politicians who use immigrants as a catch-all villain for the county's problems, trying to get people to point the finger at whomever they deem “other” instead of coming together to implement real solutions. It's a strategy they've used for years that helps them to preserve power and sow division among people.

The webinar, which convened educators, legal advocates, and community leaders, underscored the escalating concerns around immigration—especially in light of Trump’s recent actions. Days after his inauguration, Trump announced rescinding longstanding, bipartisan policy to restrict ICE from conducting immigration enforcement  in what have been considered protected spaces, such as hospitals, places of worship, and schools.

But it was also a reminder that educators, families, and community advocates have worked together to successfully protect students and their families, and have the power to shape a better future for all.

A collective responsibility to support immigrant students and families

Immigration and the demonizing of immigrants were central to President Trump’s 2024 election campaign, and since his inauguration, he and his staff have quickly moved to try and reshape the nation’s immigration system. 

The executive actions taken since January 20, 2025, demonstrate this aggressive approach, including actions in support of its mass deportation plans, an attempt to end birthright citizenship, and overturning a 13-year policy that has kept ICE agents from engaging in immigration enforcement in “sensitive areas,” such as K-12 public schools.

“As educators, we have accepted the sacred responsibility to protect students—every single student, regardless of their immigration status—and to protect families and communities,” NEA President Becky Pringle said in a statement, a day after Trump was sworn in. “We have a professional and moral responsibility to keep our students safe, especially if, and when, Trump sends ICE into our communities."

Pringle added: "We remain committed to using the power and strength of the largest labor union in the country to ensure every public school is a safe space for every student, and to uphold the constitutionally protected right of all students to access a public education.”

During the webinar, Pringle grounded the conversation in a call for collective responsibility.

"No matter what challenges lie ahead, the work of transforming this world remains ours, just as it has been in every generation," Pringle said. "As educators, … we must and will continue to demand that this nation bring its practices into full alignment with its promises and create a society where equity and justice are the rule."

While offering support and resources, speakers emphasized that the guidance shared is not legal advice and encouraged families to consult with legal professionals for specific concerns.

What to Expect

Ignacia Rodriguez, of the National Immigration Law Center, highlighted potential actions under the Trump administration, including rescinding protections for undocumented students and permitting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity near schools.

"We expect to see … attacks on students' rights under Plyler v. Doe, [which ensures public education for all children] regardless of immigration status," Rodriguez explained.

Lubna Alam, from the NEA Office of General Counsel, reassured attendees that the likelihood of mass deportation raids at schools is low, citing the potential for significant backlash and widespread disruption to school environments. However, she warned that increased immigration enforcement near school drop-off points, like bus stops, remains a real possibility. In addition, due to the rescission of the sensitive locations memorandum protecting schools from immigration enforcement activity, schools may now see  immigration agents trying enter school campuses and to access student records.

The NEA shared strategies from its "Guidance on Immigration Issues" to help schools and families prepare for these challenges. One critical recommendation is the adoption of "Safe Zone" resolutions by school districts, which outline procedures for responding to immigration enforcement at schools and reaffirm the commitment to protecting all students.

Amplifying the voice of DACA recipients

The uncertainty surrounding DACA, a program that provides temporary deportation relief and work permits to nearly 600,000 young immigrants, including 15,000 educators, remains a pressing concern. As the legality of the program awaits a Supreme Court decision, DACA recipients like Reyes face an uncertain future. 

" I don’t know if I’ll be able to maintain my job," she said.

The NEA's "Guidance on Immigration Issues" urged current DACA recipients to renew their permits and consult legal counsel to explore potential pathways to permanent residence. Additionally, the webinar highlighted the pressing need for systemic change. Reyes suggested leveraging the teacher shortage to advocate for policies that would allow undocumented individuals to work legally in schools. 

"We need to work on establishing new policies that offer opportunities to gain citizenship [through] work permits," she said.

Countering fear with empowerment—and practical, useful guidance 

The NEA guidance and webinar panelists emphasized the importance of community empowerment in combating fear and uncertainty. Schools can play a vital role by hosting "Know Your Rights" events and building partnerships with local immigrant rights organizations.

Educators also can provide practical information to students and their families in the form of “Red Cards.” Simply put, these two-sided, wallet-sized red cards are printed with legal, helpful tips about what to do when facing ICE and the holder’s constitutional rights.

Reyes, for example, shared her experience organizing workshops with her students and other educators through an afterschool club that promotes higher education, political awareness, and activism.

"I’ve trained students to [deliver] workshops in both English and Spanish,” she said, adding that she also provides parents with red cards to help them assert their rights.

Community resources, such as emergency preparedness guides and access to legal support, are critical tools in mitigating the impact of immigration enforcement. Families are encouraged to designate guardians for their children and store important documents, including birth certificates and medical records, in accessible locations.

A call to action

As immigration policies continue to evolve, the need for collective action becomes ever more urgent. The NEA strongly encourages school districts to adopt proactive measures, such as Safe Zone resolutions and family preparedness initiatives, to protect the rights of all students.

For Reyes, the fight for immigrant rights is personal and collective. "Our kids are scared. No learning will occur if our students are worried," she said. “But when we unite and fight back, we are stronger than any administration."

The NEA and its partners remind educators and communities that the power of solidarity can shape a future where all students, regardless of immigration status, feel safe and supported. 

In the words of Reyes: "Immigrant families are resilient. We have faced … challenges far greater than these fear tactics. Together, we can make a positive difference and protect our communities."