LAUSD Distributes Cards to Help Immigrant Families Know Their Rights
Background
The Los Angeles Unified School District is taking steps to ease fears among students, staff, and their families by distributing red cards with information about encounters with federal immigration authorities. This move comes as a response to immigration raids prompted by an executive order by President Trump, which removed restrictions that previously prevented ICE from conducting raids in schools, houses of worship, and hospitals.
What’s in the Cards?
The red cards from the Immigration Legal Resource Center provide valuable advice, including:
* Don’t open the door if immigration officers knock
* Don’t answer any questions
* Don’t sign anything without first consulting an attorney
* Give the card to the agent as a way to assert your constitutional rights
The card also includes a statement that reads, “I am giving you this card because I do not wish to speak or have any further contact with you. I choose to exercise my constitutional rights to remain silent and refuse to answer your questions. If you arrest me, I will continue to exercise my right to remain silent and refuse to answer your questions. I want to speak to an attorney before I answer any questions.”
History of the “Know Your Rights” Cards
A non-profit group started creating these types of cards in 2017, when similar fears reverberated through communities under the previous Trump administration.
How to Obtain the Cards
These “know your rights” cards are being handed out physically as well as through the LAUSD website in multiple languages. It is not yet clear which schools have the cards to hand out, but distribution of the cards started last week after the announcement that ICE and Border Patrol would be allowed to make arrests at schools and churches.
Additional Resources
LAUSD has relaunched its “We Are One” program, which was initially introduced in 2017, to help educate the public about what the constitutional rights are for both immigrants and non-immigrants.
Conclusion
The distribution of these cards is a proactive step by LAUSD to ensure that immigrant families are aware of their rights and feel empowered to exercise them. By providing this information, the district is working to alleviate fears and promote a sense of security among its community members.
FAQs
* Q: What is the purpose of the “know your rights” cards?
A: The cards provide valuable information about encounters with federal immigration authorities and help individuals know their constitutional rights.
* Q: Who is eligible to receive the cards?
A: The cards are available to students, staff, and families of LAUSD.
* Q: How can I obtain a “know your rights” card?
A: The cards are available physically at certain schools and also through the LAUSD website in multiple languages.
