A copy of the Contacting Officials Toolkit is available here
Contacting Officials & Making Your Voice Heard
Your voice can make a difference in protecting students and families and drawing attention to the issues with ICE’s masking policies. Local school boards, district administrators, and elected officials have the power to push back on ICE’s masking policy by adopting resolutions, speaking out publicly, and demanding accountability. When they act, it puts pressure on policymakers at every level to end this dangerous practice.
To hold ICE accountable and protect your community:
- First, make your voice heard:
- Share LCCHR’s campaign posts on social media
- Sign a petition calling for an end to masked ICE operations
- Attend a school board, city council, or other public meeting and share your concerns with legislators and local officials
- Then, take action:
- Write or co-sign a letter to your local paper highlighting the dangers of masking and the need for accountability
- Write to local elected officials to advocate for ID requirements for all enforcement agents near schools, parks, or other community settings
- Email and/or write to local politicians and school officials to adopt a resolution, a policy, or a public statement opposing masked ICE enforcement around schools and to enact ID protocols for ICE operating near school zones
- Organize a group to attend your next local government meeting and voice the need for transparency and accountability
- Meet with local elected officials to advocate for ID requirements for all enforcement agents near schools, parks, or other community settings
- Present a proposal for your school district to formally oppose ICE masking practices
A copy of the Letters to the Editor Toolkit is available here
Letters to the Editor (LTE)
Letters to the editor are one of the most effective ways to raise awareness of masked ICE enforcement in your community. They show local decision-makers that people are paying attention, asking for accountability, and spreading the message to neighbors, parents, educators, and voters. You can find instructions on how to submit a letter to the editor directly on a news outlet’s website—it is typically submitted either via email or a submission form electronically.
Tips For Writing an LTE
- Keep It Brief: 150–250 words is best. Each publication has its own guidelines, but typically following this will put you in the sweet spot.
- Be Local: Mention your town, school, or community—and the impacts they are facing thanks to masked ICE enforcement— to make it relevant.
- Share Your Story: Share why this issue matters to you as a parent, educator, or community member.
- Stay on Track: Focus on the issue at hand: ICE is deploying masked anonymity, enabling bad actors to take advantage and harm communities.
- Call to Action: End your piece by urging your local elected leaders and/or officials to speak up and act.
LTE Example Template
Dear editor,
As a [PARENT/EDUCATOR/COMMUNITY MEMBER] in [TOWN/CITY}, I am horrified by the practice of ICE enforcement agents wearing masks while conducting operations in our community.
In my [CLASSROOM/SCHOOLS/COMMUNITY/NEIGHBORHOOD], children and families already feel unsafe when they see masked men with guns. I see every day how fear affects them, with fewer kids playing outside, families staying home, and our streets empty as masked operators parade themselves around.
This policy of anonymous masking makes it impossible to know who is really law enforcement. Across the country, we’ve seen people pretending to be ICE officers who have robbed, assaulted, and even kidnapped. No one should have to wonder whether the person in a mask is a real officer or someone intending to do harm—this policy only stokes fear and breeds distrust.
I urge our [local officials / members of Congress ] to take immediate action to end this reckless practice and restore transparency and accountability to law enforcement. Our communities—and especially our children—deserve better and should be able to grow up without fear of masked, armed men taking them or their loved ones away.
Sincerely,
[INSERT NAME]
Step-by-Step Instructions for Contacting School Officials
- Identify the Right Contact
- Find the website for your local school district or school board.
- Look for “Board Members,” “Superintendent,” or “Contact Us” pages.
- Note their email addresses and/or phone numbers, and prepare to reach out.
- Decide Your Method of Reaching Out
- Email or letter: Great for leaving a paper trail and sharing resources.
- Phone call: Quick and effective if you want immediate contact and results.
- Comment at a public meeting: Raises visibility and puts the issue on the record.
- Introduce Yourself
- Share that you’re a parent, educator, or community member in the school district.
- State your connection to the school (your children attend, you attended, etc.)
- Share Your Concern
- Explain how ICE’s masking policy threatens student safety and community trust.
- Localize the issue and explain how students, families, and educators at the school are all affected.
- Make Your Ask
- Call on the school board/officials to adopt a resolution, a policy, or a public statement opposing masked ICE enforcement around schools.
- Ask them to communicate with state/federal lawmakers about ending the practice.
- Ask them about the plans they have in place to protect students according to law.
- Remember to Follow Up
- If you don’t get a response, send a follow-up email or raise the issue at the next school board meeting.
- Spread the Word
- Encourage friends, colleagues, and parents to do the same.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Contacting Federal, State, and Local Elected Officials
- Identify the Proper Person to Contact
- Use your home address to identify your U.S. Representative/Senators, state legislators, city/town councilors, selectboard, mayor, and any other local officials.
- Get their correct titles, mailing addresses, email addresses, and staff contact info. Emailing staff can also be an effective way to contact an official’s office.
- Decide Your Method of Reaching Out
- Email or letter: Great for leaving a paper trail and sharing resources.
- Phone call: Quick and effective if you want immediate contact and results.
- Public comment at a meeting: Raises visibility and puts the issue on the record.
- Introduce Yourself as a Constituent
- State your name and that you’re a constituent of theirs. If relevant, mention that you are a parent, educator, resident, community member, etc.
- Explain the Issue and Share Your Concern
- Describe what ICE’s masking policy is and why it is harmful to the community.
- Be sure to provide concrete examples relevant to your area (ex: masked agents near schools, increased community fear, local reports of ICE impersonators)
- If possible, also include reliable facts, reports, and/or news stories.
- Mention that this is not just your concern but one shared by parents, educators, and others in your community.
- Call Them to Action
- Request a specific action from the local official, whether that is issuing a public statement or resolution, calling for federal oversight, or introducing legislation.
- Be sure to ask them to raise this issue in local/council meetings, legislative bodies, and/or with federal representatives.
- Ask for an Official Response
- Request them to let you know what their position is on the issue and what steps they will take to address your concern.
- Ask for any further relevant contact information and offer to stay in touch, as well as provide more information and/or facilitate hearing from others impacted.
- Remember to Follow Up
- If you don’t get a response, send a polite reminder or follow up, and be sure to engage them at their public-forum events.
- Spread the Word
- Encourage friends, colleagues, and other parents to do the same.
- If the response is positive and will enact change, be sure to amplify the action and correspondence in your network and community.