Advocacy Tools and Resources

Resources on Immigration and Refugee Concerns

TESOL Statements

Below is a list of statements and letters written or co-signed by TESOL International Association in support of immigration reform efforts such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA).

TESOL Supports U.S. Department of Justice’s Memo Regarding Services for Multilingual Learners of English (22 November 2022)

TESOL Statement on the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling Invalidating DACA (13 October 2022)

TESOL Joins Coalition for the American Dream, Commemorating 10 Years of DACA, Submits Letter to Senate and House Leaders in Support of Legislation to Make DACA Permanent (16 June 2022)

TESOL Joins Coalition for the American Dream, Submits Comments to U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Support of DACA Policy (1 December 2021)

TESOL Statement on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Ruling (19 July 2021)

TESOL Signs-On to Letter Calling for Changes to Cultural Exchange Visas in U.S. (10 May 2021)

TESOL Condemns Global Acts of Violence and Discrimination Against Asians (11 March 2021)

TESOL Joins Over 180 Organizations in Call for Bipartisan Immigration Reform in the United States (20 January 2021)

TESOL Submits Comments Outlining Concerns Over New U.S. Citizenship Exam (9 December 2020)

TESOL Joins UCIEP and EnglishUSA in Submitting Comments in Opposition to Proposed Student Visa Rule (13 October 2020)

TESOL Continues to Monitor DACA Situation in U.S. (17 July 2020)

TESOL Statement on Withdrawal of Guidance Banning International Students in U.S. (14 July 2020)

TESOL, EnglishUSA, and UCIEP Oppose ICE Guidance on International English Language Program Students for Fall 2020 (8 July 2020)

TESOL Joins Over 800 Organizations in Opposition to Ban on J-1 Visas in the United States (2 July 2020)

TESOL Applauds SCOTUS Decision to Support Dreamers (18 June 2020)

TESOL Statement on Cuts to Education for Detained Migrant Children (7 June 2019)

TESOL Statement Supporting the American Dream and Promise Act (15 May 2019)

TESOL Resources

Resources for TESOLers to engage and connect in support of refugees and immigrants.

myTESOL Communities:

TESOL Connections (members)

TESOL Seminar: Integrating Social Justice Into Teacher Education & Classroom

Access TESOL Advocacy Support

TESOL provides an Advocacy Action Request portal for any needs not addressed or for any developing or changing circumstances that impact the ELT profession and the MLEs we serve. TESOL will review all requests in context of its Action Tree and Policy Priorities and will respond within 4 business days.

Learn More Here

Global Resources

This list of resources will help you ensure that your English learners are treated fairly and equitably. Please share it widely. If you have a resource to add to this list, please contact Jeff Hutcheson.

United National Refugee Agency (UNHCR)

Screening Potential DACA Requestors for Other Forms of Relief (American Immigration Council)

Immigrant Inclusion Resources from the National Skills Coalition

Fact Sheet: The Dream Act, DACA, and Other Policies Designed to Protect Dreamers (American Immigration Council)

Family Preparedness Plan (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

Community Resources for Immigrant Families (Protecting Immigrant Families)

Help for Immigrant Families: Guidance for Schools (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

Legal Assistance: American Civil Liberties Union

Rights of Immigrants and the Threat of Deportation (American Federation of Teachers)

What Do I Say to Students About Immigration Orders? (Teaching Tolerance)

Immigrant and Refugee Children: A Guide for Educators and School Support Staff (Teaching Tolerance)

Colorin Colorado Guides and Toolkits