THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 7, 2025 Page 11 CARDS| FROM PAGE 1 have been no reports of any other city or town’s school district in Massachusetts considering or undertaking such a distribution at this time. As of Thursday, there had been no official public response by the Malden School Committee to the request by MEA President Deb Gesualdo on behalf of the union at Monday’s regular monthly meeting. Gesualdo said the MEA had “already ordered several thousand” of the Red Cards from the ILRC and that the union was footing the cost. “There is no place for fear and division in our schools,” Gesualdo said in remarks during the School Committee’s public comment section of the meeting. “In our schools our students must feel valued, heard and safe.” The MEA President’s remarks were in response to recent federal directives indicating an increased effort to remove and deport undocumented immigrants from the United States who have criminal convictions or have committed crimes since illegally entering the United States. Included are suspected terrorists and organized gang members from other countries. Gesualdo said just the thought of schools being involved in these actions has been disconcerting. In an online news story this past week, she stated, ““Our schools are supposed to be a place for students to grow and learn and if they’re in fear of raids, it’s not safe for any of our students [worried] about either being detained or watching it happen.” There have been no reports of federal, state or local agencies attempting to enter Malden schools or approach students in Massachusetts or other states, regardless of their immigration status. There have been reports of anxiety among some Malden Public Schools students, particularly among some Malden High School students, regarding the recent federal directives. Malden High School, for much of the past decade, has been rated as the most diverse high school in Massachusetts, with over 50 languages and/or dialects spoken. Malden Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Timothy Sippel has issued several district-wide statements to caregivers regarding this subject and has assured them that all students in the district are legally entitled to a full education under state law. Both Supt. Sippel and Malden High School Principal Chris Mastrangelo have publicly stated to students and caregivers that no one and no agency representative, federal or otherwise, is allowed to enter any of the seven Malden Public Schools buildings or district office except for educational purposes. They specifically stated that no federal ICE agents are allowed inside or in the vicinity of school buildings. MHS Principal Mastrangelo held a school-wide meeting specifically on this subject late last week. He has also sent communications to students and caregivers via email and other sources, all of which are translated into a recipient’s preferred language of communication. Likewise, all of the Superintendent’s communications with caregivers of Malden Public Schools regarding school safety and policy issues are translated into preferred languages of the caregiver or student recipients. During her remarks, MEA President Gesualdo said, “The Red Cards can be a lifeline for immigrants so they can know of their Constitutional rights. “They deserve to be physically, mentally and emotionally safe,” Gesualdo added. “They cannot learn if they are in fear. The moment is now for us to collectively be the voice of justice and kindness for our students.” *** Following is the text of the information that is printed on ILRC Red Cards. Customarily, those who receive these cards get them printed in their native and/ or preferred language of communication. You have constitutional rights: • DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door. • DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent. • DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer. • If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly. • GIVE THIS CARD TO THE AGENT. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door. (on the other side) —I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution. —I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door. —I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights. —I choose to exercise my constitutional rights. These cards are available to citizens and noncitizens alike. *** En espanol (in Spanish) Usted tiene derechos constitucionales: • NO ABRA LA PUERTA si un agente de inmigración está tocando la puerta. • NO CONTESTE NINGUNA PREGUNTA de un agente de inmigración si el trata de hablar con usted. Usted tiene el derecho de mantenerse callado. • NO FIRME NADA sin antes hablar con un abogado. Usted tiene el derecho de hablar con un abogado. • Si usted está afuera de su casa, pregunte al agente si es libre para irse y si dice que sí, váyase con tranquilidad. • ENTREGUE ESTA TARJETA AL AGENTE. Si usted está dentro de su casa, muestre la tarjeta por la Ventana o pásela debajo de la puerta.
12 Publizr Home