South Florida teachers’ unions address threats of ICE raids at schools

“There’s no bar in the State of Florida for conducting immigration enforcement operations,” DeSantis said.

Miami-Dade, Broward teachers’ unions take a stand

On Thursday, UTD President Karla Hernandez-Mats said so far there have been no ICE threats on the district’s campuses.

Hernandez-Mats said she knows there is a lot of angst out there over his issue but parents should continue to send their children to school. She said the students have rights.

“There are federal laws, FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), which does not allow any faculty or staff to divulge any personal information on a child. We are not law enforcement officers, it is not our job to tell anybody who is in our school and who is not in our school. We are educators that love and care for these kids like they are our own. They are our students and we are going to protect them, we’re going to serve them, we’re going to make sure that they get access to the best to the best education that they can receive in our community,” she said.

Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco said their students are the most important thing.

“We are not going to break the law, but we don’t agree with it. We know that our students have to come to school and be safe. As educators, as a mom myself, as an educator for 30 plus years and Broward Teachers Union president, we are always encouraging and talking to our educators of the uncertainty and to bring down the rumors. We’re here first to show up to school, educate our students and keep nurturing and caring for them,” she said.

“Please be reminded that student records are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Student information should not be released without proper authorization via the office of general counsel.”

In his memmo, Broward Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn said school leaders should seek guidance from the district’s General Counsel’s Office before taking any action in immigration-related situations.

Teachers’ unions want Department of Education left alone

The union leaders said another threat is the proposed closure of the U.S. Department of Education.

The department is responsible for distributing federal financial aid for education, and for collecting and disseminating data and research related to schools. It is also tasked with enforcing non-discrimination policies in schools.

Hernandez-Mats said President Donald Trump and Elon Musk do not have the authority to dismantle the department. She said that would take congressional approval and she wants the community to get in touch with their representatives to make sure that it doesn’t happen.

Hernandez-Mats said one of the programs administered by DOE helps working class, middle class families. She said they are additional resources that go into schools for reading, language arts, math, science and social studies.

“There are 26 million kids nationwide that are impacted by those direct funds from the federal Department of Education. Twenty-six million kids,” she said.

Hernandez-Mats says another program administered by the department provides funds for students with special needs. She said it helps 7.5 million children nationwide.

Hernandez-Mats said 272 schools in the Miami-Dade school district receive federal funds from the DOE to help working class families.

“We are very proud of the work that our schools have done and a big portion of that has been due to the funding that we’ve been able to get from federal funds because, as you know, the state of Florida does not fund education adequately,” she said.

“They bring billions of dollars into our two counties alone to fund every single type of service that Karla mentioned and more. Every single student, whether you have an ability, a disability, there’s always some kind of special need. Breakfasts, lunches, our children depend on schools to be fed,” said Fusco.

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson said in a statement that dismantling the department is a “slap in the face” to children and educators across the country.

“It’s a declaration of war on the future of our children, a betrayal of every teacher who pours their soul into shaping young minds, and a cruel death sentence for students who rely on our public schools,” she said.

Wilson said Congress must take action.

“Regardless of the Administration’s plan – whether it involves defunding the Department of Education, decentralizing the department’s functions, or instructing the U.S. Secretary of Education to devise a plan for its dismantlement – such actions are outrageous, a ploy straight from Project 2025. Their plan reflects the lack of importance that Republicans place on our education system. Congress must take action to ensure the U.S. Department of Education is properly funded and continues to operate as normal,” she said.