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I currently hold a bilingual EC-6 teaching certificate. I have always worked with Title 1 schools. After the completion of my Masters in Education in Guidance and Counseling I intend on becoming a counselor in an elementary setting. I wish to continue working in Title 1 schools. I want to help students from various backgrounds to help them achieve their highest potential.

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Exploration Option 1 - Top 5 According to a Current Professional

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Exploration Option 1 - Top 5 According to a Current Professional

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I spoke with Angela Gibson, a school counselor at Ridgemont Elementary in Houston, Texas. We spoke regarding current legal and ethical issues in the counseling department.

#1 Due to the population of students and families at Ridgemont one of the big legal issues Mrs. Gibson faces is Family and Child Protective Services. Mrs. Gibson states that it is a tough decision to make at times.

#2 Another legal and ethical issue Mrs. Gibson faces is when helping teachers deal with discipline. Several students at Ridgemont come from homes and families that are not in the best condition. Mrs. Gibson states that teachers forget about a student's home life which may be the reason for their misbehavior.

#3 Ridgemont Elementary is located in a non friendly neighborhood. The school has recently installed cameras and a bullet proof entrance. It is important to explain to the students that these changes are for their safety.

#4 There has been an increase in suicide attempts among elementary students. It is imperative that school counselors teach lessons on social and emotional topics to all students. They must be taught how to deal with certain emotions and bullying.

#5  Mrs. Gibson stated that it is vital for a school counselor to stay up-to-date with legal and ethical issues. In order to help serve new generation students a school counselor must read on trends and new techniques being used to help students.

(A. Gibson, personal communication, June 7, 2018)

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Exploration Option 2 -National Education Association

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Exploration Option 2 -National Education Association

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While researching the National Education Association for legal and ethical issues I found an article referring to immigration. There is an increase in ICE raids. Immigrant students' fear that their families may be torn apart and the unknown of what would happen to them.

NEA is providing assistance to educators in order to help protect their students.

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For many of America's most vulnerable students, the newest round of immigration raids by the Department of Homeland Security is not just news but the stuff of nightmares.

Support your students by sharing United We Dream's "Know Your Rights" flier. Click here ›

"My students are terrified they'll come home to an empty house or snatched up when they come to school," says Utah middle school teacher Chelsie Helton, whose worst fears were realized when one of her students didn't show up for school week before last.

Connecting with her student on Facebook, Helton learned the 11-year-old had been devastated when his father was taken from their home in the middle of the night. The start of a new year and school semester has coincided with an aggressive deportation campaign by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) targeting recent refugees who've received their final removal orders, many of them single mothers and children seeking asylum from horrific violence in Central America.

The nationwide raids are sending shockwaves through a population of students who already suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. As deportation fears rise, some schools are reporting a drop in attendance.

Helton, who says the raids have reopened traumatic wounds for her students, was heartbroken when one of her students cried through an entire class period. "Her father was taken six years ago and she hasn't seen him since. Now she's scared she'll lose her mother too. It's a PTSD moment for my students. The fear is unbelievable."

Educators across the country are telling similar stories of students who live in a constant state of terror that manifests as chronic illness, panic attacks, and low self-confidence.

Concerned educators and immigration advocates are doing what they can to help students and their families through the trauma caused by the latest raids. Hundreds of educators and school administrators sent a formal letter to DHS denouncing home raids, some of which have been conducted without warrants or consent.

NEA is working with members on an information campaign to help educate members about the current situation and what they can do to support and protect their students.

Member activists are working with NEA partner United We Dream to circulate their "know your rights" flier and other resources telling families what to do if ICE agents come to their homes. And Dreamers are posting videos to warn families when ICE trucks are seen in their neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, educators who are on the front lines are trying to do their jobs while reassuring frightened students.

Chelsie Helton and her student both broke down when he returned to class after being out a week. "Before this happened, he was stepping out of his comfort zone, contributing in class, and doing better in school. Now his world is shattered. He's afraid they're going to come and take his mom too, and I'm afraid he'll lose all the progress he's made in school."

As someone who grew up 45 minutes from the border, Helton says she understands immigration politics but "when you're a teacher and 65 percent of your kids are Latino, you wonder when you walk into class who's going to be missing today and who's going to be in tears. Physical deportation is bad enough, but the kids left behind are undergoing mental, emotional, and spiritual deportation."

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Students are collateral damage in immigration raids - Education Votes

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For many of America's most vulnerable students, the newest round of immigration raids by the Department of Homeland Security is not just news but the stuff of nightmares. Support your students by sharing United We Dream's "Know Your Rights" flier.

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Exploration Option 2 - American School Counselor Association

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Exploration Option 2 - American School Counselor Association

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During my exploration on the American School Counselor Association I found a resource for school counselors to help students deal with suicide. The resource primarily references the show "13 reasons why".  This resource explains the importance of being aware of certain warning signs.

The resource provides handouts for families as well.

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13 Reasons Why Resources | American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

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Legal and Ethical Issue of Interest to Me-- How can schools legally provide help to immigrant students or students with immigrant parents?

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Legal and Ethical Issue of Interest to Me-- How can schools legally provide help to immigrant students or students with immigrant parents?

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During my exploration, I came across an article regarding students who fear their immigrant parents may get deported. As a bilingual educator, this topic resonates with the population of students I serve. I want to explore more on what I can do to help these students and families without being legally punished.

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Online Research- How can schools legally provide help to immigrant students or students with immigrant parents?

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Online Research- How can schools legally provide help to immigrant students or students with immigrant parents?

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While researching this topic online I found an article on how schools have been helping DACA students by providing legal help. This article refers to President Trump's vision to end DACA and deport the students who are protected with DACA.

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CLOSE

The schools are offering support and legal aid to students worrying about their legal status if the program known as DACA ends.

Across New Jersey, colleges and universities are trying to reassure anxious students known as "Dreamers" that they will be protected on campus despite the Trump administration's decision to rescind a program that protects hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation.

They have pledged to keep students' information private, offered legal help and urged lawmakers to do their part to save the program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.

"Nearly 26,000 DACA program participants call New Jersey home," Peter P. Mercer, president of Ramapo College of New Jersey, and Stephan Lally, president of Ramapo College Student Government Association, wrote in a letter Wednesday. The pair added that they were working "to ensure that these talented young persons can stay in this country and contribute to its future."

According to federal data, just over 22,000 New Jersey residents have been covered by DACA since its creation in 2012

Ramapo College said it will bar employees from asking about immigration status and won't allow immigration officers on campus "to the fullest extent allowable under the law."

Under the DACA program, nearly 800,000 people who were brought to the United States illegally as children were shielded from immediate deportation and given the opportunity to work or attend school. Called "Dreamers," these students now face an uncertain future after the Trump administration's announcement earlier this month that it would phase out the program in six months.

Joban Rodriguez, 27, holds a sign as he walks past Trump Tower and a line of police officers at a protest in Manhattan on Sept. 5. Rodriguez, of Brooklyn, originally came to the United States at the age of 3. (Photo: Kevin R. Wexler/NorthJersey.com)

At the same time, President Donald Trump challenged legislators to come up with a replacement before then. If Congress does not create a replacement program, DACA recipients could face deportation as early as March 6.

With mixed signals from Washington about immigration, students are worried about their next steps and some fear they or their family members could be deported if they report to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Others are confused about recent changes to immigration policies.

A legal clinic for Dreamers at William Paterson University was sparsely attended on Friday. Carolina Curbelo, an immigration attorney who volunteered at the clinic, believed the low turnout was tied to the political climate.

"There's a fear of what is going on based on what the news is reporting about people being picked up, whether it's at the courthouse and with raids going on," Curbelo said. "People are hearing a lot about what is going on in media and they might be fearful of being picked up or just disclosing very personal, sensitive information."

More: The number of 'Dreamers' in N.J. declines

More: North Jersey Dreamers hopeful, cautious about DACA deal

More: Booker promises to fight with Dreamers for permanent protection

One student who went to the clinic was covered by DACA, but her status wasn't up for renewal. Still, the student had concerns about her future. Other "Dreamers" who work or study in the United States are mulling whether to renew at all. Those who do must apply by Oct. 5.

Curbelo said that, in general, she advises people to review facts, weigh risks based on their own situation and talk to an attorney.

"It's a personal decision," she said. "I lay out to them the risks and the pros and cons."

Rutgers University has also offered free legal assistance with DACA renewals. Schools aren't required to track the number of DACA students and many don't keep or release that information, but Rutgers says about 500 of its students are enrolled in the program.

Catalina Adorno of Union City, who is protected from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, is arrested after participating in a sit-in in near the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on Sept. 5. (Photo: Kevin R. Wexler/NorthJersey.com)

In a letter, Rutgers President Robert Barchi told students they had the support and protection of the university.

"We recognize the stress that this decision is having on our undocumented students and their families, and to these students we want to be very clear in saying that nothing has changed for you in regard to your relationship with Rutgers," Barchi wrote in the letter, which also was signed by four chancellors.

He said Rutgers won't consider immigration status in admissions and will continue to protect the privacy of students.

"This means the university will not provide student records to anyone unless required by a warrant, subpoena, or court order, and we will continue to offer support and legal guidance to any student who seeks it," Barchi wrote.

At the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where there are more than 50 DACA students from 18 countries, President Joel S. Bloom reminded students that services from the Rutgers-Newark Child Advocacy and Immigration Rights Law Center are available to assist them with any immigration issues.

He also said in a memo to students, that the school will maintain admission policies that do not consider immigration status, and will not provide student records to any entity unless required by a warrant, subpoena or court order.

"We appreciated and share your concerns, will work diligently on your behalf, and offer you our unconditional support during this stressful time," Bloom wrote.

In this photo taken Sept. 7, 2017, a student walks past a tip sheet for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients who fear deportation that is taped to a window on the University of California, Berkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif. Colleges and universities nationwide are stepping up efforts to help the students who are often called "Dreamers," after the Trump administration announced plans last week to end that federal program protecting immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. (Photo: Jocelyn Gecker, AP)

Pressure on lawmakers

The schools are also putting pressure on lawmakers to take action to save DACA and protect these students from deportation. The New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities, representing nine schools, jointly signed a statement calling for action.

"We assure the students at our institutions that we will work closely with New Jersey's congressional delegation and federal officials to find a way to ensure that these extraordinary young people can stay in the only country they know as home," the members wrote.

Susan Cole, president of Montclair State University, also wrote personally to the state's delegation last week urging strong protections for the student immigrants.

"The power to restore DACA, and, in fact, to make it even better, is now in your hands," Cole wrote. She added: "I urge you, speaking for a community of thousands of students and educators, to provide the leadership needed to protect our DACA students and, by so doing, to protect the moral integrity of our state and our nation."

At William Paterson University, a group of students and members of the school's staff and faculty formed the Committee to Support Undocumented Students and Workers earlier this year, and organized the clinic Friday. The committee has also been working with the administration to get clarity on policies, said Stephen Shalom, a professor of political science.

The university won't allow immigration officers into dormitories, he said, but has not set a policy regarding classrooms and academic buildings.

"They're trying to determine how much sanctuary can be offered without violating the law," Shalom said.

Colleges throughout the state are trying to strike a balance between protecting students and following the law, and many have avoided using the term "sanctuary campus," which refers to protection of undocumented immigrants on school property. School leaders are concerned about giving false assurances about protection on campus, while others worry that "sanctuary" policies could cause them to lose federal funding.

The American Council on Education, which represents nearly 1,800 college and university presidents and executives, says that schools have no obligation to comply with a request by officials for records in the absence of a subpoena or warrant. But they warn that an institution may be unable to prevent immigration officials and agents from coming onto campus without a warrant because some spaces on campuses are accessible and open to anyone.

The organization advises universities to keep a close watch on shifting policies on the state and local level as they change, and to consult with attorneys.
Staff Writer Monsy Alvarado contributed to this report. Email: adely@northjersey.com
Read or Share this story: https://njersy.co/2yjHKr9

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CLOSE The schools are offering support and legal aid to students worrying about their legal status if the program known as DACA ends. Across New Jersey, colleges and universities are trying to reassure anxious students known as "Dreamers" that they will be protected on campus despite the Trump administration's decision to rescind a program that protects hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation.

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ASU Library Research- How can schools legally provide help to immigrant students or students with immigrant parents?

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ASU Library Research- How can schools legally provide help to immigrant students or students with immigrant parents?

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While researching through the ASU Library research database, I found a study called, "Interrogating racist nativist microaggressions and campus climate: How undocumented and DACA college students experience institutional legal violence in Colorado". This study explores DACA students and their experience with legal violence.

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What I learned about Helping immigrant students or students with immigrant parents.

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What I learned about Helping immigrant students or students with immigrant parents.

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As a future school counselor, my job is to remove obstacles that interfere with the education of my students. Immigration is a hot topic at the moment because President Trump has made it known that he wants all immigrants deported. As a bilingual educator, I need to educate myself with knowing what I can do to help all my students legally and provide them with their legal rights. If it so happens that the DACA program is demolished or I am faced with a student whose parent gets deported, I need to be prepared to help my students and families.

Colleges in New Jersey are helping DACA students by providing them resources. At Rutgers University, President Robert Barchi has made it known that the university is there to help all its students by providing legal assistance (Adely, 2017). He has stated, “This means the university will not provide student records to anyone unless required by a warrant, subpoena, or court order, and we will continue to offer support and legal guidance to any student who seeks it” ( Adely, 2017). Although this gives assurance to students attending, what about when the government decides to hold the records? The school is powerless.

A study conducted by Susana M. Muñoz and Darsella Vigil (2018), focused on DACA students and their college experiences. They found that DACA students suffered from various forms of racism (Muñoz & Vigil, 2018). One form of racism they faced included institutional racism. The staff at the colleges lack the resources and training to help these students and may unaware of how their actions or words affect the students.  As a school counselor, it is my duty to provide resources to not only my students but the staff members as well. Schools counselors may need to make it known that certain behaviors are offensive to students.

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Adely, H. (2017, September 22). N.J. colleges offer legal help, support to 'dreamers'; schools trying to reassure students. The Record. Retrieved from https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2017/09/22/n-j-colleges-offer-help-dreamers/690697001/

Muñoz, S. M., & Vigil, D. (2018). Interrogating racist nativist microaggressions and campus climate: How undocumented and DACA college students experience institutional legal violence in Colorado. Journal Of Diversity In Higher Education. doi:10.1037/dhe0000078