What A Day Chicago Teachers Fight To Keep ICE Out Of Schools
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Sep 10, 2025 Stacey Davis Gates, President of the Chicago Teachers Union, shares insights on how teachers are navigating the challenges of a new school year amid heightened immigration enforcement. She discusses the impact of ICE near schools, emphasizing the mental health concerns for students and families. Davis Gates highlights community solidarity and the necessity of educators advocating for immigrant rights. The conversation also touches on the alarming decline in literacy among high school students, linking it to factors like the pandemic and screen time.
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Immigration Agents Near Schools Caused Fear
- Stacey Davis-Gates described seeing DHS and ICE agents near a large high school the Sunday before school started, creating fear and uncertainty.
- She said families showed trepidation about showing up in those neighborhoods the next day, disrupting school attendance.
Contractual Sanctuary Protections
- Chicago Teachers Union negotiated sanctuary protections into their contract to protect students and families.
- They expanded protections in 2025 to include fuller curricula, library access, and supports against disinformation.
Solidarity Turns Policy Into Practice
- Solidarity across school staff, district leaders, and community stakeholders creates comfort and shared responsibility.
- Embedding policies into contracts leads to training and clearer roles for everyone in a school community.