Chicago's Teachers Union Pushes for Remote Learning Amid Immigration Crackdown Fears. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is pushing the city's public school system, CPS, to negotiate over remote learning options as a potential new law enforcement measure takes effect this year.
According to CTU leaders, this step is necessary to protect families and ensure that students can stay home if they fear being targeted by federal authorities upon arriving or departing from school. Jackson Potter, vice-president of the union, stated that the CTU will soon file a formal request for negotiations. The situation is becoming increasingly dire due to the tactics used by immigration officials in Minnesota, where two U.S. citizens were shot and killed last month.
"We have to adapt to this new terrain, which is more cruel and traumatic," Potter said during an education board meeting Thursday. "We all need to improve our systems."
When a problem arises that affects labor conditions for union members, negotiations can begin. This move signals how disturbing the immigration operations have been for schools in Chicago and other locations.
In October, federal agents launched tear gas near the Funston Elementary School in Logan Square during recess when some students were outside. The number of students absent from class has decreased significantly at predominantly Latinx schools since the more aggressive enforcement began. Alfonso Carmona, interim director of education for CPS, stated that a state law does not permit the district to adopt remote learning or blended teaching on its own.
The governor must declare an emergency due to public health concerns, and the state superintendent needs to set criteria for approving online learning, according to Carmona. However, he added that the district is working with local government, unions, and other entities to provide "necessary interventions" for students who fear coming to school or missing too many classes.
This isn't the first time families have requested the option of remote learning due to fears of being detained by immigration officials upon arriving at school. In October, approximately a month after President Trump's deportation campaign began in Chicago, some education board members asked the district to implement online learning for students whose parents were concerned they might be deported upon leaving or entering school.
Although many agents who participated in the operation left the city in November, a source from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that the agency's Chicago deportation operation would continue with an even larger contingent of agents returning by March.
Potter emphasized that the district should provide clearer guidance for educators seeking to directly assist students, such as participating in walking school buses.
According to CTU leaders, this step is necessary to protect families and ensure that students can stay home if they fear being targeted by federal authorities upon arriving or departing from school. Jackson Potter, vice-president of the union, stated that the CTU will soon file a formal request for negotiations. The situation is becoming increasingly dire due to the tactics used by immigration officials in Minnesota, where two U.S. citizens were shot and killed last month.
"We have to adapt to this new terrain, which is more cruel and traumatic," Potter said during an education board meeting Thursday. "We all need to improve our systems."
When a problem arises that affects labor conditions for union members, negotiations can begin. This move signals how disturbing the immigration operations have been for schools in Chicago and other locations.
In October, federal agents launched tear gas near the Funston Elementary School in Logan Square during recess when some students were outside. The number of students absent from class has decreased significantly at predominantly Latinx schools since the more aggressive enforcement began. Alfonso Carmona, interim director of education for CPS, stated that a state law does not permit the district to adopt remote learning or blended teaching on its own.
The governor must declare an emergency due to public health concerns, and the state superintendent needs to set criteria for approving online learning, according to Carmona. However, he added that the district is working with local government, unions, and other entities to provide "necessary interventions" for students who fear coming to school or missing too many classes.
This isn't the first time families have requested the option of remote learning due to fears of being detained by immigration officials upon arriving at school. In October, approximately a month after President Trump's deportation campaign began in Chicago, some education board members asked the district to implement online learning for students whose parents were concerned they might be deported upon leaving or entering school.
Although many agents who participated in the operation left the city in November, a source from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that the agency's Chicago deportation operation would continue with an even larger contingent of agents returning by March.
Potter emphasized that the district should provide clearer guidance for educators seeking to directly assist students, such as participating in walking school buses.
I'm not surprised that schools are taking action like this though, given what's been happening at the border. It's a total power struggle between the union and CPS. If the governor declares an emergency, it'll be a huge victory for the CTU. But, on the other hand, if they don't do it voluntarily, it could lead to a court battle. The state superintendent is basically saying that CPS needs permission from above, which is just enabling the system. What's wrong with providing remote learning options straight away? It's not like it's gonna hurt anyone. This is exactly why we need more transparency and accountability in our education system 
. If families are too scared to send their kids to school 'cause they're worried about being deported... it's just not right 
. We gotta do something to make schools safe for everyone, not just the teachers and staff 
. Remote learning is a good idea, but what if it's not enough? 
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I get that there are rules and regulations, but come on! This is about keeping kids safe, not just following rules 
. And what's with the governor needing to declare an emergency? Can't they just make a decision already? 
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. And what about those two U.S. citizens who got shot in Minnesota last month? That's just heartbreaking 
. We gotta do better here 
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. I mean, who wants to put a kid through that stress? 
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their concerns r valid, we dont want our kids being traumatized by immigration agents and having to choose between being with their fam or coming to school because they might get detained 
It's not a solution, but it's something that might make some families feel better. And honestly, if the governor can declare an emergency over public health concerns, why not over immigration operations that are affecting kids' mental health and education? 
