Resident asks Westford schools to distribute ILRC 'red cards' to immigrant families

Emily Teller, a Westford resident, used the public‑comment period to ask the School Committee to help distribute "red cards" produced by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) so students and families know about legal resources and rights.

Teller told the committee she has two generations of children who attended Westford Public Schools and said she was concerned about recent national immigration enforcement patterns that could affect local students. She described the ILRC as a longstanding national nonprofit that trains attorneys and community advocates and provides educational materials. "It's not a fly‑by‑night organization. It's been around a long time. It's a non‑profit. It's very respected," Teller said. She asked the committee to consider ways to supply the cards to students and families beyond making them available in guidance offices, for example by proactively distributing them to ensure families receive the information.

Teller noted the ILRC materials are printable in four‑up format and recommended colored card stock; she did not ask the committee to budget for printing but said she would be curious what the expense might be. The superintendent (Dr. Chu) responded by directing community members to the ILRC website and noting he had previously shared information about student‑rights materials with families. No formal motion or committee action was taken that evening.

Ending: Teller thanked the committee for listening; the district directed residents to the ILRC site for the resource and the committee did not vote or adopt a distribution plan during the meeting.