MITESOL Advocacy Update: April 2025
Advocates,
Now more than ever, it is imperative you communicate with your elected representatives. We need to educate policymakers on what is needed in our teaching environments.
Read below to learn more about MITESOL's Advocacy Webinar, funding threats to our state and federal education resources, and how YOU can advocate for yourself, our students, and communities as a whole.
We're in this TOGETHER <3
Resources:
- Use the MITESOL Advocacy Packet to find your state and federal representatives' contact information, call scripts, and other resources to stay informed and engaged.
- Join the MITESOL Advocacy Facebook group for frequent updates and resources!
- Sign up for Chalkbeat Detroit articles to be sent directly to your inbox to keep up with state Education news.
MITESOL Advocacy WEBINAR - April 23!
Join the MITESOL community at 6:00 p.m. on April 23 for a "Know Your Rights" session with Staff Attorney William G. Trenary from West Michigan's Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates.
What's included:
- Practical strategies to advocate for diverse student populations
- Success stories that highlight effective advocacy
- A discussion on the challenges of ensuring all students' rights are protected
This event is *FREE* for MITESOL members!
Join or renew today for $25 ($20 for part-time employees and students)
REGISTER now!
SOLIDARITY WITH IMMIGRANTS in our Schools and Communities
Free "Know Their Rights" Webinars for International Students & Educators
Join the free Know Their Rights webinar series to help DSOs and AROs effectively advise international students and scholars during these tumultuous times with immigration attorneys Kathleen Gasparian & Jim Hacking. Each webinar will focus on the listed topic followed by current immigration updates and an extended Q&A.
Register through the links below.
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Title |
Date |
Time (ET) |
Registration Link |
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Know Their Rights: Advising on Travel |
Thursday, April 10 |
2:00 PM ET |
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Know Their Rights: Advising on Activities in the U.S |
Thursday, May 8 |
2:00 PM ET |
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Know Their Rights: How to Respond When ICE Comes to Campus |
Wednesday, May 14 |
2:00 PM ET |
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Know Their Rights: Pursuing Permanent Residency in 2025 |
Tuesday, June 17 |
2:00 PM ET |
For more info contact the webinar host:
Moroni Flake
CEO, English3 and Homebase
480-258-2900
Please use these resources to become informed and share with other educators so we are equipped to assist students and community members:
- Share these ACLU Know Your Rights videos in Spanish, Urdu, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Russian, & Mandarin to empower students and their families on how to deal with ICE
- School Self-Assessment Checklist for Legal Rights of Immigrant Students / Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
- Immigration Rights Schools Need to Know / Michigan Department of Education
- Preparation & Rapid Response Resources for Immigrants & Community Allies / Welcoming America
- Sanctuary School Toolkit: A Guide for Parents, Students, and Stakeholders in Local School Districts / GR Rapid Response to ICE
- School Crisis Playbook: Navigating Deportation Policies with Practical Tools and Preparedness / Fugees Family
Fugees Family Webinars, Trainings and Immigration Resources to Equip Schools and Families for Uncertainty
- TESOL's Community and Colleague Resources (scroll halfway down the page)
STATE ADVOCACY
How much federal education aid could Michigan lose?
The Trump administration is following through on threats to cut federal money for public education, and states could lose significant funding.
This tool from the Education Law Center provides projected revenue losses in each state by federal funding source. The tool also shows the number of entry-level teaching positions that would be lost if state education resources must fill the gap left by funding cuts.
As the 103rd Michigan legislature advances policy, stay up-to-date on state education news using these resources:
Bridge Michigan Talent & Education
Chalkbeat Detroit
Michigan Advance Education
and
Michigan Department of Education English Learners (ELs) site
FEDERAL ADVOCACY
Please read these timely TESOL updates in a letter from Jeff Hutcheson, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy:
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As a follow-up to TESOL's recent statement on supporting the U.S. Department of Education, I am providing an update on proactive steps TESOL International Association, along with members, colleagues, communities, and fellow educators, is taking to counter the unprecedented actions against the department and give you opportunities for involvement.
TESOL, in addressing the drastic reduction in workforce at the department, called for Congress to restore the human resources of the department. We have updated our campaign to call on Congress to stand up and support the department, which it authorized and funds, to take action for the English language teaching (ELT) field, multilingual learners of English (MLEs), and our schools and communities.
We invite you to join us in support of the department and contact your members of Congress today, calling for the restoration and protection of the agency for our field and the learners, schools, and communities we serve. |
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TESOL has also joined 16 of our colleague associations in calling for Congress to "conduct immediate oversight and ensure that OELA's staff is rehired and its position as a standalone office is quickly restored." Collectively, our organizations submitted this letter to the House and Senate respective authorization committee chairs and ranking members overseeing education. Lastly, we invite you to join us on 4 April at 4:00 pm EDT to hear from an expert panel on the implications for the ELT profession and MLEs of the actions against the department. (VIEW VIDEO) |
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If you have any questions, please reach out to me at advocacy@tesol.org. We are stronger when we advocate together. |
- View the April 4 TESOL Webinar - Implications for the ELT profession and MLEs of the actions against the Department of Education
- Webinar Slides
- Webinar Resource Links
ADVOCATE!
- Got 5 minutes? Go to the TESOL Advocacy Action Center and easily advocate for multiple federal campaigns!
(Be sure to add your educational context and how it affects you/educators/students/community to the prepared message.)
You can also call your federal senators' and representative's offices using the directory in the MITESOL Advocacy Packet.
- There were many valuable resources gleaned from February's TESOL Advocacy Days -- Educate yourself and your policymakers!
- TESOL Advocacy HUB - Visit TESOL's page filled with resources to support learners, schools and communities under the current U.S. administration.
Please contact me with any information or questions you’d like to share!
Sharon Umlor
MITESOL Advocacy Coordinator
TESOL Advocacy Action Center
You do not need to be a TESOL member to use the TESOL Advocacy Action Center site!… Join in and support English learners and teachers today! 
The Action Center is also available via mobile app: Download the Voter Voice app & search for “TESOL International Association” in the organization field.
