Caption: Evanston Parent Leaders invited Strategic Organizer Jorge Mujica from Arise Chicago to do a teach-in at their monthly branch meeting. Parent leaders learned about workers’ rights, immigrant rights in the workplace, and how to prepare themselves in the wake of anti-immigrant attacks and threats from the new federal administration.
Without a doubt, the recent Executives Orders and imminent policies that will follow have brought about confusion, fear, and uncertainty for our parent leaders, staff, and community alike.
But, COFI’s mission has always been focused on building the power and voice of parents, primarily mothers and grandmothers from Black and Brown communities, to shape the public decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their families.
So, right now, the most impactful way to build up the power of parents is by focusing on ensuring Parent Leaders have access to information and training in this ever-changing environment. For anti-immigration activity in particular, COFI Parent Leaders and staff have been attending Know Your Rights trainings about interactions with ICE agents.
COFI organizers have been sharing resources, videos, and just meeting with and consoling parents who are living in constant fear and concerned about the future of their families and communities. Our work may look different under a new presidential administration, but we remain committed and dedicated to ensuring that all policies and systems – whether it’s at the local or federal level – are equitable and inclusive of Black and Brown families.
Below are some resources we’ve seen and shared with parents. If you have information or resources to share with parents, please contact us.
From the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights:
- Print Your Own KYR Cards (English, Spanish, Polish, Mandarin)
- Request ICIRR KYR Cards here
- Is It A Raid? How to Report ICE Activity and Avoid Spreading Panic and Confusion (Organized Communities Against Deportation)
- ICIRR General KYR handout (English)
- ICIRR Conozca sus derechos (Spanish)
- Request a KYR Training here.
National Employment Law Project:
- What to do if immigration comes to your workplace? (English)
- QUÉ HACER SI VIENE INMIGRACIÓN A SU LUGAR DE TRABAJO
Arise Chicago:
Links have been updated and verified as of 2/24/2025.
English 
Spanish