SUPPORT FOR NEW FAMILIES

WHEREAS, the AFT is dedicated to the welfare and bright future of all students and members of our communities; and

WHEREAS, districts across the country have significant Latine populations; and

WHEREAS, cities across the country are experiencing the harsh reality of homelessness, including thousands of students, due to lack of affordability, racism and lack of investments in BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and people of color] communities; and

WHEREAS, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is playing politics with the lives of immigrant children, women and men by deporting them from his state to other cities across the country deemed sanctuary cities; and

WHEREAS, cities like New York City, Washington, D.C., and Chicago have received thousands of displaced immigrants; and

WHEREAS, cities have received insufficient support to assist new arrivals; and

WHEREAS, some schools are better equipped with resources and community infrastructure to receive students, in particular those deemed sustainable community schools that have community partners that house immigration services and have years of experience in doing immigration advocacy; and

WHEREAS, bilingual educators and educators in general are experiencing an increased number of newcomers each year without the resources to match; and

WHEREAS, interpretation and translation services are a necessity in schools, yet they are widely unavailable, and those who can interpret are facing increased difficulties to do so; and

WHEREAS, the cities could respond to this crisis by expanding affordable housing that would help not only address the incoming population but also the existing houseless:

RESOLVED, that the AFT will condemn the actions of Republican Texas Gov. Abbott; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT locals will provide support to displaced immigrants by coordinating hands-on volunteer opportunities, developing training to support bilingual educators and educators in general on the rights of immigrant and homeless students and parents; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will engage with city and state elected officials and community organizations to advocate for the rights of the displaced immigrants; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will demand more robust bilingual services, housing for homeless students, appropriate interpretation staffing, support for educators and support staff who wish to obtain education in becoming bilingual, and filling critical vacancies to assist incoming students displaced by right-wing governors with an equitable and appropriate educational program representative of an actual sanctuary city.

Adopted May 28, 2025