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District 28 council unanimously passes resolution seeking stronger school‑based protections for immigrant families
Summary
Community Education Council District 28 on March 5 passed a resolution calling for school‑based protection teams, expanded 'know your rights' trainings, language‑accessible communications and partnerships with community legal and social‑service organizations to support immigrant students and families.
The Community Education Council (CEC) for New York City Geographic District #28 voted unanimously March 5 to approve a resolution urging expanded protections and services for immigrant families in schools.
First Vice President Lauren Clavin introduced the measure as a community‑driven response to recent concerns about immigration enforcement and cited ideas from a United Federation of Teachers resolution. The proposal asks the district and the Department of Education to convene school‑based teams that could include school personnel, community partners, parents and students; continue and expand 'know your rights' trainings; and ensure family communications and backpack notices are provided in families’ preferred languages.
Clavin said the resolution reflects community requests and recommended concrete steps including partnerships with vetted legal and wraparound service providers. Recording secretary Shantel Chambers conducted a roll‑call vote; council members present — including Lauren Clavin, Jennifer Soers, Shantel Chambers, Alicia Bower, Luzal, Annie Co, Kenya Townsen, Nikita/Pikita Williams, Eric Gretch, Sesy/Sisilly Chu and President Quinton Mezit — recorded affirmative votes and the measure was declared passed.
The resolution does not itself create new funding or binding district policy; instead it asks district leadership to prioritize planning and training, and to pursue language access and community partnerships. During discussion council members emphasized that the resolution was drafted after community emails and meetings and said the work should center family safety and legal rights.
Michelle Ma of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs described city resources available for outreach and 'know your rights' presentations and offered to follow up with schools and parent groups. Council members and public commenters asked for clarity on next steps and timetables; the council requested that district staff return to the body with implementation details.
Next steps: the council will transmit the resolution to District leadership and the DOE; members said they expect follow‑up reporting on training schedules, language‑access translations, and identification of community legal partners.
