NSEA is committed to the safety of all students.

La información en español está aquí

NSEA is committed to the safety of all students, regardless of their or their parents’ citizenship or immigration status. Our public schools are – and should be – safe zones. Public Schools are keystones in the very foundation of our democracy. They make education available to every child regardless of income, ability, need, English language proficiency, or racial and ethnic identity. We value and support our strong and inclusive public education system, and we are committed to doing all we can to ensure that all Nebraska public schools are welcoming and safe places for students and their families.

Given the reports that we have received regarding a dramatic increase in immigration enforcement measures in communities, and some reports of widespread fear among students, we are providing the following resources:

  • DACA: Your students may be impacted directly or might be concerned about family members or friends. Below is a link to teacher resources for helping students concerned about yesterday's announcement regarding DACA. http://educationvotes.nea.org/neaedjustice/daca-resources/

  • Keep the DREAM Alive, Author Linda Darling-Hammond
    On September 5, President Trump announced his plan to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Since it was implemented, the DACA program has ensured that nearly 800,000 children of immigrants—many of whom have no recollection of any country other than the U.S.—can safely attend school, earn degrees, and become contributing members of the country in which they were raised.

  • A template school board resolution and administrative policy that members can advocate for their school district to adopt.  The resolution/policy, which NEA previously circulated in December, puts school districts on record that they will honor the constitutional right of students to attend school regardless of immigration status; permits staff to respond to student inquiries on those issues; provides a staff procedure in the event immigration agents come to school; and communicates strong support for the entire school community, regardless of immigration status.

 

  • Further helpful resources for your immigrant students and their families can be found at this National Immigration Law Center webpage, including guides in multiple languages on (1) how to prepare for an immigration raid, (2) what to do if you are stopped by immigration agents, and (3) what to do if you are detained.  If district policy permits members to do so, they may distribute materials like these at school.  If not, members may distribute such materials while off duty and off school property. 

 

  • A legal advisory for educators to advise them of the safest avenues for advocacy for their immigrant students and around the immigration issue.  The advisory reviews the rights of educators to engage in such advocacy off duty and off school property and cautions as to the risks of doing so on duty and on school property.

 

How Teachers Can Reassure Immigrant Children
http://www.nea.org/home/37004.htm?q=how%20teachers%20can%20reassure%20immigrant%20children

Educators Nationwide Share Their Passion and Concern for Aspiring American Students
http://educationvotes.nea.org/2013/03/08/educators-nationwide-share-their-passion-and-concern-for-aspiring-american-students/

Schools on Front Lines in Nationwide Movement to Protect Undocumented Students
http://educationvotes.nea.org/2017/01/14/schools-front-lines-nationwide-movement-protect-undocumented-students/

Immigrant and Refugee Children: Guide for Educators and School Support Staff
National Immigration Law Center, American Federation of Teachers, First Focus, United We Dream
www.aft.org/sites/default/files/im_uac-educators-guide_2016.pdf

Legal Issues for School Districts Related to the Education of Undocumented Children
National Education Association
www.nea.org/assets/docs/HE/09undocumentedchildren.pdf 

Help for Immigrant Families Post-Election: Guidance for Schools
Immigrant Legal Resource Center
www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/schools_post-election-v4.pdf