How to Use This Toolkit
We've collected a wide array of resources, organizations, and tools to help MTA members prepare their schools and protect their students and their families. The School Defense Toolkit – a collaborative effort involving the MTA, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts and the Boston Teachers Union – includes resources, templates and best practices from educators across the country and Massachusetts.
Resources
Support for Students & Educators
Resources from NEA, K–12 schools and higher ed to support students, educators and families affected by immigration policies.
NEA Resources
Practical guidance and resources for educators, union members and activists supporting immigrant students and families.
K-12 Resources
Tools to protect students and families, including guidance, sample policies and state protections.
Guidelines Regarding K-12 Schools' Obligation to Protect Students and Their Information, Massachusetts Attorney General
An example of a school district policy and communication to staff and families, Worcester Public Schools
Executive Order and Legislation: Actions to Keep ICE Out of Schools, Hospitals, Courthouses and Places of Worship, Massachusetts Governo
Higher Ed
Higher ed resources offering guidance for colleges and universities on supporting immigrant students, responding to law enforcement inquiries, and addressing campus immigration concerns.
Three Ways to Fight for Immigration Justice
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JOIN the Statewide Immigration Organizing Network. Sign up to receive email updates, meeting invitations and other immigration-related resources.
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PREPARE The School Defense Toolkit includes a vast amount of resources, templates and best practices compiled by educators across the country and in Massachusetts.
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GET INVOLVED Learn more about LUCE Immigration Justice Network of Massachusetts which offers resources and opportunities to volunteer.
Take Action
Red Cards
Red Cards
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center's Red Cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations.These cards, offered in different languages, are available for download. The ILRC also offers instructions on how to use these cards.
Join the Fight
Join the Fight
To receive email updates, meeting invitations and other immigration-related resources
Prepare & Protect
Get resources to prepare your school and protect your students and their families.
School preparedness and student safety are critical in the current environment. The School Defense Toolkit offers a wide array of resources, templates and best practices from educators across the country and Massachusetts.
Get Involved
LUCE Immigration Justice Network of Massachusetts offers a wide variety of resources and opportunities to volunteer.
For Families
For Kids: What to Do If You're Worried About ICE
For Parents: What to Say to Kids About ICE
What We Have Done
MTA Educators Take Action on Immigration
We’ve been taking action to support immigrant students and families. From rallies and rapid responses to advocacy and community organizing, this timeline highlights key educator-led in 2025.
Early Organizing
January
1/31 First staff working group meeting.
MTA prints thousands of red cards.
Getting Started
February
2/1 NBCSOS planning meeting to support Immigrant students and families.
2/11 First meeting with members to discuss forming a group to meet around this issue.
2/24 First statewide organizing meeting.
Rapid Responses and Incidents
March
3/5 Dennis-Yarmouth rapid response.
3/8 Worcester Eureka Street Incident and response Somerville immigrant solidarity rally.
3/8 Kidnapping of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate.
3/25 Kidnapping of Rümeysa Öztürk, Tufts student (Somerville).
3/25 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminates parole programs for nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
From May Day to Milford
May
5/1 May Day standouts (multiple locals)
5/3 Annual Meeting & May Day Action
NBI passes on legal representation for
members threatened with deportation and
discounted immigration legal services.
5/4 New Bedford May Day rally
5/10 Cape Cod family fundraiser
5/13 LUCE Hotline educator presentation at statewide organizing committee meeting
5/31 Milford student Marcelo Gomes da Silva detained on his way to volleyball practice
Growing Solidarity
June
6/4 First Milford organizing meeting with educators, parents and Casa.
6/5 Waltham and Springfield solidarity stand outs
6/10 Organizing meeting with SEIU 509 to discuss Rumeysa Ozturk union response
6/18 New Bedford High School students walk out to protest the School Committee’s failure to pass a “Safe School” resolution.
6/20 Malden Rally to support detained father of a student MTA Prints Thousands of LUCE cards
MTA Summer Conference
July
- Milford educators present at open plenary.
- “Fighting for Immigrant Rights” workshop
- EAW Rising meet to form committee.
Protecting Schools, Mobilizing Youth
August
8/11 New Bedford passes School Committee Safe Zone Resolution.
8/18 Youth Against Deportation March in Boston.
Rapid Response and Solidarity for Detained Students
September
9/1 Labor Day rally in Boston/Holyoke
9/12 Gustavo Oliveira, a Milford student, is detained.
9/14 Voices Unidas holds first emergency rally.
9/15 Burlington accompaniment for Gustavo.
9/16 Burlington Accompaniment Action for Gustavo’s parents and Blanca
LUCE/MTA canvasses in Fitchburg to spread awareness
Emergency Response to Student Detentions and Threats
October
10/9 A 13-year-old student in Everett, Arthur Berto, is detained.
10/10 Worcester Rapid Response effort regarding “Freaky Friday” rumor Solidarity School launch.
10/26 Rapid Response training for educators.
Training, Solidarity and Advocacy
November
11/9 Rapid Response training for educators.
11/13 Framingham district-wide stand outs.
11/14 Rapid Response training for educators.
11/15 Waltham rally.
11/16 Worcester/EAW People’s Pantry.
11/25 MTA testified before Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Community Rally
December
12/1 SEA president speaks out at community rally.
Are you an affiliate?
Jump to updates, opportunities and resources for MTA local affiliates.
Know Your Rights
A recent executive order from President Trump targets gender protections—but it cannot undo federal civil rights laws that safeguard transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people. Check out our know-your-rights guides below, and visit NEA’s LGBTQI+ guidance for more info.
