Maryland school district PTA trains parents in how to disrupt ICE enforcement operations

Officials from the Parent Teacher Association in a wealthy school district hosted a virtual training session to educate families on how to respond to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. The session took place in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Jan. 20 and was led by Councilwoman Kristin Mink. The training, titled “ICE Response & Organizing Tools for PTAs, Parents & Guardians,” aimed to equip parents with ways to support families affected by ICE arrests and deportations.

Councilwoman Mink has previously conducted sessions on strategies schools can use to protect themselves from ICE activity. During the session, she shared “rapid response” guidance she had created. One of the slides in the presentation addressed how “White allies” could assist the community without using whistles to counter “ICE violence.” Mink argued that using whistles could reinforce authority associated with Whiteness and suggested that it may not be the most effective approach.

Mink emphasized that rapid response should not be about assuming authority and that it’s important to consider the feelings and experiences of impacted communities. She highlighted the need to avoid actions that may cause stress in Black and Brown communities already overexposed to noise pollution.

The presentation addressed how certain characteristics like gender, sexuality, and education can align with positions of power or marginalization. The Department of Homeland Security clarified last September that ICE is not conducting enforcement operations or raids at schools, contrary to some claims.

The use of whistles during immigration raids has been a point of contention within the anti-ICE movement, with immigrant-led organizations and predominantly White “rapid response” activists differing on the effectiveness and impact of such tactics. Groups like the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) argue that blowing whistles can cause unnecessary panic and tension.

While the training session sparked controversy, critics argued that parent-teacher organizations should focus on academic success rather than engaging in political activism. The session was promoted on social media by the Montgomery County Council of PTAs and supported by various agencies including education associations, labor unions, and immigration advocacy organizations.

Despite the criticism, many local PTAs promoted the session on their platforms, showing a diverse range of opinions within the community on the issue.