NYC teachers' union defies Trump, coaches teachers to advise illegals how to handle ICE

NEW YORK, NY - The New York Post reports that the New York City teachers’ union is openly defying the Trump administration’s deportation efforts, with reports that it is coaching teachers on how to help illegal aliens avoid getting picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at home or in public. Reports say the union is going beyond the city’s guidance intended to keep ICE agents out of public schools. 

In a workshop conducted last week and pushed out via Zoom, United Federation of Teachers (UFT) leaders instructed educators to print out and distribute so-called “red cards,” which were created by illegal alien advocates to spell out constitutional rights illegals allegedly enjoy if confronted by ICE officers. 

“If ICE comes to the home, you do not have to open the door. In fact, you should not open the door,” UFT representative Katie Kurjakovic said in the hour-long ZOOM workshop designed to protect illegal alien students and their families. 

“If you open the door but leave the chain on–that could be interpreted as allowing ICE in, so you should keep the door closed and remain silent. Say ‘I plead the fifth and choose to remain silent,’” Kurjakovic told teachers to advise illegal alien families. 

“Those who don’t speak English can slip a “red card” under the door,” she continued. 

The “red cards” are a product of the group Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) and state in English and other chosen languages: “I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.” 

Continuing further, the cards also state, “I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights.” 

Teachers were told they could print the cards on any colored paper from a link on the union’s website that lists illegal alien student and family resources. 

Thus far, some city schools have started distributing the cards as the Trump administration has ramped up its mass deportation efforts. Last week, over 100 illegals in the city were taken into custody.

Some principals, however, are uncomfortable having staff hand out the cards until they receive guidance from Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos on whether to distribute the cards. 

The Post reported that city Department of Education press secretary Nicole Brownstein has refused to confirm if Aviles-Ramos has sanctioned the practice. She has remained somewhat silent about expressing criticism of the mass deportation efforts, while NYC Mayor Eric Adams has promised city resources to help apprehend criminal illegal aliens. 

While the city doesn’t offer the “red cards” on its resource page, it does advise school staff on what to do if ICE agents show up at schools, consisting of barring them without a court order or subpoena. 

Adams’ Office of Immigrant Affairs also does not offer the cards but tells illegals they don’t have to open the door for immigration officials and can remain silent or ask if agents possess a judicial warrant. 

A Manhattan-based immigration lawyer told The Post he doesn’t believe the red cards will stop ICE agents, citing a recent raid in Newark, N.J. 

“I really don’t think somebody is going to show this card and an ICE agent will say, ‘Oh excuse me, I’m sorry to bother you,” the lawyer, John Cavallo, said while expressing hope that ICE will obey the constitution. 

During the Zoom call, Kurjakovic told teachers to advise students and families to carry only a library card or other city-issued ID. 

“We know from our immigrant advocacy groups, it’s very important at this time that people not carry any documentation that [suggests] they were born in another country, because that can raise questions.” 

Some teachers, however, criticize the union for ginning up fear. 

“The UFT needs to stop fueling fear. They [ICE] have not been inside a single school, and that will likely remain the case–unless a 17-year-old is here illegally and raped someone.” 

Meanwhile, UFT President Mike Mulgrew is accused of using the issue to further his campaign during May’s upcoming union election. 

“He’s just virtue signaling and campaigning,” the teacher said, “not caring about his members or students.”