• Union del Barrio has trained hundreds of teachers to respond to ICE activity near schools in California and New York.
  • Educators are staging patrols, flyers, and safety coordination plans to protect migrant families during drop-offs.
  • School districts officially deny federal agents access to campuses, but they are not formally part of the advocacy effort.

SAN DIEGO, CA (TDR) — The immigrant advocacy group Union del Barrio is escalating its campaign to shield migrant families from federal immigration enforcement near schools, saying it has already trained hundreds of teachers across California and New York on how to respond if federal agents attempt to detain a student or parent.

On Tuesday, members of the group — including local teachers — handed out flyers to parents at Lincoln High School, aiming to build community solidarity.

“What this is really about is showing solidarity to the familias, to the students, to ensure they feel there’s a community behind them,” said Erendira Ramirez, an educator active in Union del Barrio. “They should be coming to school in spite of this threat of ICE coming to schools and drop-offs.”

Teacher Patrols Against ICE

Ramirez said many educators are now working within coordinated safety plans to respond to ICE operations near schools. These plans sometimes include “teacher patrols,” where groups of teachers drive around campuses before school hours to watch for signs of immigration enforcement.

One patrol volunteer, identified only as Marisol, described how they identify suspicious activity.

“There are key factors to help identify ICE agents,” she said. “They tend to drive American-made SUVs… sometimes with heavily tinted windows or no license plates.”

Teachers remain in constant communication, alerting each other if suspicious vehicles are spotted.

Legal and Policy Context

Union del Barrio says it will continue to coordinate patrols and distribute flyers throughout San Diego County. While Ramirez confirmed that San Diego Unified School District is not officially involved, she noted that most California school districts have already adopted policies that deny federal agents entry to school grounds and prohibit access to student records.

Critics of the initiative argue that these “patrols” could inflame tensions with federal authorities, while supporters say they are essential for reassuring immigrant families that schools remain safe spaces.

Rising Tensions Around Enforcement

California is not alone in witnessing grassroots pushback to federal enforcement. Recent reports indicate that New York City schools have seen similar organizing efforts, with advocates citing fears of ICE presence at student drop-off points.

The controversy reflects a broader debate over immigration enforcement in schools, where constitutional protections, state policies, and federal authority intersect. As Union del Barrio frames it, the message is clear: families should not feel forced to choose between safety and education.

If teacher patrols become normalized, does this mark a new era where immigration debates play out directly at school gates?

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