WHEREAS, President Trump has announced his intention to build a wall along the United States’ southern border, intensify enforcement efforts against undocumented immigrants, and ban many immigrants and refugees from majority-Muslim countries; and

WHEREAS, the recent increased visibility of racist and Islamophobic rhetoric has raised alarm and concern amongst our students, members, and families; and

WHEREAS, there are approximately 535,000 undocumented immigrants in New York City, and an estimated 345,000 public school students are the children of undocumented immigrants, according to the Fiscal Policy Institute; and

WHEREAS, New York City has historically been a beacon of hope and a gateway to opportunity for immigrants from all over the world; and

WHEREAS, the UFT has a long record of advocating for the safety and rights of immigrant New Yorkers, endorsing President Obama’s 2012 executive order — the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — and having participated in the annual May Day Labor Rights, Immigrant Rights, and Jobs for All Rally for several years; and

WHEREAS, the UFT is in ongoing talks with the New York City Department of Education to implement a plan to bring Immigration Advisers to ensure that schools and school processes are welcoming of immigrants students and families; and

WHEREAS, Mayor de Blasio emphasized the City of New York’s commitment to remaining a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants in the wake of President Trump’s immigration announcements; therefore be it

RESOLVED, the UFT supports Mayor de Blasio’s position that New York City should be a sanctuary city; and be it further

RESOLVED, the City of New York should continue to keep student and immigration status information confidential; and be it further

RESOLVED, the City of New York should develop a plan for low-cost legal advice for immigrant families; and be it further

RESOLVED, New York City schools should continue to develop plans to deal with student concerns as immigration issues are issues for the entire school; and be it further

RESOLVED, the UFT will continue to work with the DOE and the City of New York to inform, assist, and protect immigrant families; and be it further

RESOLVED, the UFT will continue to hold free legal intake screenings open to its members, students and families in concert with legal advocacy groups; and be it further

RESOLVED, the UFT will mobilize its members in support of our immigrant and Muslim students, members and families in conjunction with our public school proud campaign.