On February 8, InsideSchools hosted a day-long event for nearly 100 immigrant families at The New School.

The day felt especially urgent given the current political climate. Just two weeks earlier, the new administration took office in Washington, bringing rapidly changing immigration and education policies that have left families anxious and uncertain.

In response to these concerns, our event covered constitutional rights, education—from pre-kindergarten enrollment to high school graduation requirements—and essential services like childcare, school transportation, and special education.

This was a group undertaking. Our partners—New York Statewide Language NYU RBERN (Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network) and the NYC RBERN at Fordham University, Advocates for Children, and Mixteca—provided translation, meals, and guidance on navigating New York City schools. We had translators on-site to assist families, covering six languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Russian, and Spanish.

Parents and guardians arrived early, many with children in tow. The childcare room buzzed with kids drawing and reading. In that informal space, our Spanish lead, Gigi Hernandez, connected the mother of a child with autism to POW (Power of We), an inclusive NYC Parks program that offers dance, music, and art for 5- to 17-year-olds.

As participants registered, we handed out mini cards outlining families' rights in their own language. These cards provided vital information on what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) came to their door, stopped them on the street, or visited their workplace.

A mother from Russia faced a challenge when she was relocated from an uptown shelter to one in Chinatown due to the City’s 60-day rule, which requires shelter residents to move after two months upon receiving notice. The new location was far from her child’s school, adding to the disruption and stress of an already difficult situation. Despite being entitled to a MetroCard under federal and city policies, school staff did not give her one, further complicating her already overwhelming circumstances.

With support from RBERN’s Russian interpreter, Marina Vinitskaya, and a letter drafted by our resource specialist, Dashiell Allen, the mother was equipped with the resources needed to secure the MetroCard, which would allow her child to maintain continuity in his education and friendships. We also contacted Council Member Gale Brewer to get information about shelter housing options to share with the parent.

The political uncertainty surrounding these families impacts their emotional well-being and their children's ability to succeed in school. Many parents are keeping their kids home from school due to these fears.

This climate directly affects the children. For example, we learned from a parent about an incident when a child was confronted by another in a school bathroom and told their parents would be taken by ICE because they were undocumented, and that they would be “easy to catch” because they didn’t speak English well. Families are feeling vulnerable with little support or recourse.

InsideSchools' director, Natasha Quiroga, a lawyer with nearly 20 years of experience, led the 'Know Your Rights' session, advising immigrant families on deportation concerns, emergency planning, and the documents to prepare. Parents adjusted their translation headsets to catch every word, asking urgent and heartbreaking questions like, 'Will I be deported without my child?”

This workshop left families of newcomer and English language learner students with guidance on supporting K-8 academic success, high school graduation, and the college application process. Presented in breakout rooms with translators, it ensured families received tailored support in their own languages.

Looking ahead, our challenge is to remain attuned to the evolving needs of these families, offering support amid fear and uncertainty. While we may not have all the answers, we can provide information, guidance, and, above all, reassurance that they are not alone—that many New Yorkers are on their side.