On July 30, Unión del Barrio, an independent community-based organization, hosted a webinar to train California educators on how to defend their students and schools from ICE raids. Under current immigration policies, ICE agents are now allowed to enter sensitive locations—such as schools, churches, hospitals, and courthouses—to conduct enforcement actions. However, agents cannot legally enter these locations without a judicial warrant issued by a court judge.

Unión del Barrio has consistently resisted immigration enforcement violence and actively protects the rights of marginalized groups, including farmworkers, women, youth, and incarcerated individuals. The organization organized the online webinar in response to high demand from educators and community members who couldn’t attend its in-person events in Southern California.

Roughly 336 participants joined the workshop to prepare for the upcoming school year. Unión del Barrio offered the following key takeaways and recommendations:

Know Your Rights: Fifth, Fourth, and Sixth Amendments

• Fifth Amendment: Protects the right to remain silent and guarantees due process. Individuals can refuse to sign or provide documents.
• Fourth Amendment: Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. ICE agents cannot enter a home without a judicial warrant. (Note: ICE rarely has a judicial warrant.)
• Sixth Amendment: Guarantees the right to legal counsel in criminal cases (not immigration cases).

Preparation at School Sites

• Schools should establish a clear plan in case of ICE activity near campus, attempts to enter the campus, or efforts to detain students or staff.
• Create a faculty and staff phone tree to quickly share information.
• Provide basic “Know Your Rights” trainings and distribute materials to school staff.