MPS Safe Haven Toolkit - MTEA Committed to Safe Learning Spaces for Our Students
On January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration rescinded protected area policies that protected certain areas like churches, hospitals, and schools from immigration enforcement. The rescission is a fear tactic to make immigrant communities feel less safe even in spaces that families and children rely on for basic services and survival.
MTEA believes that public schools must be safe, welcoming, and accessible to all children and families. The United States Supreme Court Plyer v. Doe decision guarantees access to K-12 public education for all children regardless of immigration status.
MTEA is committed to our ongoing work with students, families, community members, the Administration and the Board to ensure safety for our students. In 2017 MTEA collaborated with MPS and community groups to develop the MPS Safe Haven resolution. Members should familiarize themselves with the resources available on the MPS Safe Haven page which was shared with families and staff on Friday, January 24.
The MPS Safe Haven toolkit provides the following information for students, families, and staff:
Community Partners Contact List
A Guide to Your Rights When Interacting with Law Enforcement - English
Guide to your rights regarding contact with immigration officers or the police - Spanish
Know your Rights a Resource for Students, Parents and Guardians - English
Know Your Rights: A Resource for Students, Parents, and Guardians - Spanish
How to act in case of immigration detention - Spanish
Avoid Immigration Scams - Spanish
Voices from the Border - Immigrant Rights
Red Cards / Red Cards
Milwaukee Area Guide to Community Resources - English
Milwaukee Area Guide to Community Resources - Spanish
MTEA will be meeting with Interim Superintendent Galvan later this week to insist on the following:
Meet and confer with MTEA to develop MPS ICE Safety Plan for all schools to be shared with staff
Provide written confirmation that MPS will not assist ICE in any enforcement action
Provide written confirmation that Administration will not share student records with ICE
Give dates certain when appropriate MPS staff will be trained on how to respond to ICE agents requesting access to schools
MTEA members remain committed to do all in our power to make every child, family and worker feel valued, welcomed and protected in our public schools.
