Immigration Update
Know your rights: What to do in case of an ICE encounter:
• DO remain calm
• DO remember: You have the right to remain silent.
• DO remember: You have the right to remain silent.
📌 Anything you say can be used against you
• You have the right to say, “I do not wish to speak with you or answer your questions.”
• DO report the encounter to ICIRR’s Family Support Hotline
• You have the right to say, “I do not wish to speak with you or answer your questions.”
• DO report the encounter to ICIRR’s Family Support Hotline
If you suspect you might be arrested by ICE:
• You have the right to ask "Am I under arrest?" and "Am I free to go?"
• You CAN tell them you want to remain silent and want to speak to a lawyer
What NOT TO DO in case of an ICE encounter:
• You are NOT required to OPEN THE DOOR TO YOUR HOME WITHOUT A WARRANT SIGNED BY A JUDGE
• You are NOT required to SIGN any document
• DO NOT LIE. Don't give explanations, excuses or stories
• DO NOT RUN
• You are NOT required to say anything except that you wish to remain silent
• You are NOT required to SIGN any document
• DO NOT LIE. Don't give explanations, excuses or stories
• DO NOT RUN
• You are NOT required to say anything except that you wish to remain silent
Call the Family Support Hotline: 855-435-7693 - (855) Help-My-Family
Report ICE Activity | Deportation Legal Support | Immigrant Healthcare Resources |
Legal & Social Service Referrals
Legal & Social Service Referrals
___________________________
(Keep this portion in your wallet and hand it out if you're detained)
RIGHTS CARD
• I am giving you this card because I do not wish to speak to you or have any
further contact with you.
• I wish to exercise my right to remain silent and to refuse to answer any
questions.
• If you arrest me, I will continue to exercise my right to remain silent and to
refuse to answer your questions.
• I want to speak with a lawyer before answering your questions.
• I do not consent to your entry or search.
• I will not sign any document I do not understand.
• I would like to contact this attorney or organization:
further contact with you.
• I wish to exercise my right to remain silent and to refuse to answer any
questions.
• If you arrest me, I will continue to exercise my right to remain silent and to
refuse to answer your questions.
• I want to speak with a lawyer before answering your questions.
• I do not consent to your entry or search.
• I will not sign any document I do not understand.
• I would like to contact this attorney or organization:
Conozca Sus Derechos: Qué hacer en caso de un encuentro con ICE:
• Mantenga la CALMA
• RECUERDE: Usted tiene derecho de permanecer en silencio.
• Mantenga la CALMA
• RECUERDE: Usted tiene derecho de permanecer en silencio.
📌 Cualquier cosa que diga puede ser usada en su contra.
• Usted tiene derecho de decir “No deseo hablar con usted o contestar sus preguntas”
• REPORTE su encuentro con ICE a la línea directa de apoyo FSN
• Usted tiene derecho de decir “No deseo hablar con usted o contestar sus preguntas”
• REPORTE su encuentro con ICE a la línea directa de apoyo FSN
Si sospecha que podría ser arrestado por ICE:
• Tiene el derecho de preguntar “¿Estoy bajo arresto?” y “¿Soy libre de irme?”
• Puede decirles que desea mantener silencio y que quiere hablar con un abogado
• Tiene el derecho de preguntar “¿Estoy bajo arresto?” y “¿Soy libre de irme?”
• Puede decirles que desea mantener silencio y que quiere hablar con un abogado
Lo que NO DEBE DE HACER en caso de un encuentro con ICE
• NO está obligado a ABRIR LA PUERTA DE SU CASA SIN UNA ORDEN DE CATEO FIRMADA POR UN JUEZ
• NO está obligado a FIRMAR ningún documento
• NO MIENTA, no de explicaciones, excusas o historias
• NO CORRA
• No está obligado a decir nada, excepto que desea mantener silencio
• NO está obligado a ABRIR LA PUERTA DE SU CASA SIN UNA ORDEN DE CATEO FIRMADA POR UN JUEZ
• NO está obligado a FIRMAR ningún documento
• NO MIENTA, no de explicaciones, excusas o historias
• NO CORRA
• No está obligado a decir nada, excepto que desea mantener silencio
Llame a la Línea Directa de Apoyo Familiar: (855) 435-7693
Obtener apoyo legal de deportación | Obtener referidos para servicios legales y sociales | Reportar cualquier actividad de ICE | Recursos de cuidado de salud para inmigrantes
____________________________________
(Guarde esta parte en su billetera y entréguela cuando lo detengan.)
(Guarde esta parte en su billetera y entréguela cuando lo detengan.)
Tarjeta de Derechos
• Le doy esta tarjeta porque no deseo hablar con usted ni tener más contacto con
usted.
• Elijo ejercer mi derecho a permanecer en silencio y a negarme a responder cualquier pregunta.
• Si me arrestan, seguiré ejerciendo mi derecho a permanecer en silencio y a negarme a responder a sus preguntas.
• Quiero hablar con un abogado antes de responder a sus preguntas.
• No doy mi consentimiento para su entrada o búsqueda.
• No firmaré ningún documento que no entienda
• Me gustaría ponerme en contacto con este abogado u organización: ______________
• Le doy esta tarjeta porque no deseo hablar con usted ni tener más contacto con
usted.
• Elijo ejercer mi derecho a permanecer en silencio y a negarme a responder cualquier pregunta.
• Si me arrestan, seguiré ejerciendo mi derecho a permanecer en silencio y a negarme a responder a sus preguntas.
• Quiero hablar con un abogado antes de responder a sus preguntas.
• No doy mi consentimiento para su entrada o búsqueda.
• No firmaré ningún documento que no entienda
• Me gustaría ponerme en contacto con este abogado u organización: ______________
- CPS Immigration Resources
https://www.cps.edu/services-and-supports/new-presidential-administration-guidance/immigration-resources/
https://www.cps.edu/services-
- Walking School Bus
CPS Immigration resources include information about organizing a "walking school bus" and other initiatives:
- Gray Elementary itself is unable to organize a walking school bus due to policy, so a parent/guardian is needed to organize. Gray Parent Alli Wickes has offered to help organize a walking school bus, drop off, and pick up and can be reached at: [email protected]
With daily reports about more federal agents in Chicago — including potentially federal troops — I want to remind everyone of the steps CPS is taking to protect students, as well as provide guidance on how families can stay safe when traveling to and from school and moving within the community.
Above all, you should know that school is the best and safest place for your children so they can learn and grow.
Protecting Students at School
In accordance with federal and state law AND CPS policy, Gray School
In accordance with federal and state law AND CPS policy, Gray School
• DOES NOT ask for our families' immigration status
• WILL NOT coordinate with federal immigration enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• DOES NOT share student records with ICE or any other federal representatives, except in the rare case where there is a court order or consent from the parent/guardian
• WILL NOT allow ICE agents or any other federal representatives access to school facilities unless they produce a criminal judicial warrant signed by a federal judge.
Staying Safe Outside of School
To further support families during this time, CPS has created this guidance document with tips on staying safe while traveling to and from school and around the community. This resource also includes a review of Constitutional rights, information and resources for immigrant families provided by community partner organizations, and a schedule of upcoming Know Your Rights trainings. All of this information is also available on our website at cps.edu/immigration.
Additional Resources from the City of Chicago
As part of an expanded campaign to help Chicagoans understand their rights and prepare for an increased federal presence, the City of Chicago’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMRR) will be hosting Family Preparedness Workshops at 6 p.m. every Thursday in September. In collaboration with the Resurrection Project and Legal Protection Fund partners, IMRR will host these workshops in both English and Spanish. Interested families can register here. Additional guidance and resources are available on the IMMR website at chicago.gov/imrr for resources and guidance.
As part of an expanded campaign to help Chicagoans understand their rights and prepare for an increased federal presence, the City of Chicago’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMRR) will be hosting Family Preparedness Workshops at 6 p.m. every Thursday in September. In collaboration with the Resurrection Project and Legal Protection Fund partners, IMRR will host these workshops in both English and Spanish. Interested families can register here. Additional guidance and resources are available on the IMMR website at chicago.gov/imrr for resources and guidance.
Please know that the safety and wellbeing of all students is our absolute top priority, and that we will continue making our school the welcoming, supportive learning environment that all students deserve. I thank you for your partnership and encourage you to reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kotis
Dr. Kotis
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Find information about immigrant rights, legal resources, and trainings and workshops from Chicago organizations here.
Information about Responding to Potential National Guard Troop Deployment to Chicago, click here.
October 2025
Dear Gray Families,
We are writing to let you know that we are aware of a rumor currently circulating about an alleged ICE operation. As of now, this information has not been verified, but given the panic that this is causing in the community, we want to be clear about what we know at this point in time.
Firstly, this rumored operation says nothing about increased ICE activity around schools or any sort of raid on schools. What we have learned is that this rumored operation would allegedly consist of intimidation tactics focused on unaccompanied minors — not a widespread targeting of students. Unaccompanied minor, in this context, is a term used for a minor without legal status who came into the U.S. without a parent.
We are working closely with various departments at Chicago Public Schools to gather more information and communicate any steps that families will need to take.
According to the communications about this rumored operation:
- The rumored operation allegedly consists of intimidating letters threatening unaccompanied minors and their families if they do not accept “offers” to self-deport.
- The rumored operation allegedly targets unaccompanied minors who are at least 14 but not yet 18 (though it could extend to unaccompanied minors as young as 10).
- The rumored operation allegedly focuses on children who are living in shelters run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Regardless of the authenticity of this information, we are committed to supporting our school community in this difficult time.
We want to remind everyone to visit cps.edu/immigration for the most up-to-date resources, including a regularly updated schedule of Know Your Rights trainings.
We also want to make sure our families are prepared in case of an unexpected emergency. Having a plan in place beforehand can make a difficult situation more manageable. Here are a few recommendations for families:
- Update Emergency Contact Information: Please ensure your student’s emergency contact information is up-to-date so their school can reach an emergency contact if needed. Please reach out to their school if you need assistance.
- Memorize Important Phone Numbers: You should memorize the phone numbers of your family, a trusted friend, and a lawyer.
- Create a Family Plan: If you have children or family members who rely on you, you should have a plan for childcare, school pickup, and care for dependents.
- Identify a Trusted Contact: You should designate a reliable person (family member, friend, or community leader) who knows your family plan and can act on your behalf. You should provide this person with copies of important documents (see below).
- Organize Important Documents: You should give a trusted contact a copy of all your important documents. This includes your "A" number (Alien Registration Number) if you have one, which is crucial for locating a detained individual. You can also share a copy of your passport number and visa foil, if you hold a visa.
We will continue to keep our school community updated with the most up-to-date, verified information to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Sincerely,
Principal Kotis