As educators, we believe that all schools should be safe havens where children can dream their dreams and achieve them. And as educators, we believe that it is up to us to help every child feel safe, protected and loved — and to stop bullying wherever it occurs, whether at the playground or on the presidential campaign trail. Targeting women and children is as disgusting as it is wrong. It is especially infuriating to educators and school staff. Our members and our communities have poured our hearts and souls into welcoming refugee children to our schools and providing a safe place for their families. Raids and deportation will not just disrupt the lives of the targeted students, they will cause pain and fear for their classmates, and destabilize the schools and communities that have worked so hard to welcome them.
—Mary Cathryn Ricker, AFT Executive Vice President
- AFT Statement: AFT Leaders Condemn Raids Targeting Refugee Women and Children
- AFT letter to DHS and Dept. of Ed. condemning the immigration raids
