AOC pushes 'legal observer training,' claims ICE is driving kids out of school

ASTORIA, NEW YORK: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) hosted an in-person town hall where she spoke with residents about immigration enforcement and community preparedness, outlining how people can receive “legal observer training” connected to monitoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. 

During the discussion, the New York Democrat criticized ICE operations, arguing that their presence has created fear and instability in many communities. She warned that anxiety surrounding enforcement is keeping children out of school and disrupting families across her district.

AOC explains legal observer training and its role in community preparedness

AOC said learning individual rights is a critical first step for residents who want to protect themselves and their neighbors.

“So, first is just knowing what your rights are,” she said. “The second thing is that if you want to be kind of in a more active observer and a member of your training, which is if you see that ICE is active in your community, knowing the things that you can do.”

She explained that trained observers can document encounters without interfering with law enforcement.

“To observe, note, without being deemed as impeding law enforcement, and how you can do these things and assert the rights of yourselves and your neighbors,” she said.

The congresswoman pointed residents to upcoming training events and organizations that provide similar programs.

“We have upcoming teach-ins with Hands Off NYC. We’ll be doing that jointly in our community, but you can also go on your own and see the trainings that they are doing across New York City,” she said.

AOC encouraged families, especially those in mixed-status households, to create safety plans and line up legal assistance ahead of time.

“They are one of many organizations that are doing legal observer training, so I definitely encourage folks to do that,” she said. “Create a safety plan and find your legal help before anything happens.”

She stressed that having an attorney before a detention occurs is crucial.

“Once ICE detains a person, they do not have the ability to get counsel once they are detained,” AOC said. “But if you have counsel before you’re detained, your lawyer has to be able to see you.”

AOC also urged neighbors to support one another in emergencies.

“If you know someone in your life that’s afraid, you can say, ‘Hey, I just want you to know that if you have a safety plan, I’m willing to help you out. I can pick up your kid after school if needed,’” she said.

AOC says ICE enforcement fears are driving children out of classrooms

Later in the town hall, AOC described what she called a sharp drop in school attendance tied to immigration enforcement fears.

“It’s about a 10 to 20 percent drop in enrollment of children in schools,” she said. “A lot of those kids actually are US citizens too, but families are so terrified of being separated that they are keeping their kids home.”

She warned that entire classrooms are being affected.

“One in five kids disappearing from classrooms. One in 10 kids is disappearing from classrooms,” AOC said. “That has an effect not just on that child, but on all the children in that classroom who just had a friend disappear overnight.”

The congresswoman said long-term consequences could include lower literacy rates and future economic struggles.

“The long-term effects… pulling children out of schools, literacy rates dropping, then those kids are going to be set up possibly to struggle later on in life,” she said.

AOC added that some parents are leaving the country voluntarily to avoid detention, separating themselves from their children in hopes of reuniting later.

“Those children are growing up their whole lives until they’re 18 years old without a mother and without a father present for them,” she said. “The effects of that are devastating.”