PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Darnell Benoit, Founder of Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project, on Immigrant Student Safety and Education
6:17:31
ยท
4 min
Darnell Benoit, founder of Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project, testified on the critical issues impacting immigrant students in New York City Public Schools. She emphasized the need for more accessible schools in immigrant-dense areas and called for stronger protections against ICE enforcement in schools.
- Highlighted the overcrowding and underfunding of schools serving young adult immigrants
- Urged the city to expand access to schools in Brooklyn where many immigrant students live
- Called for reinforced policies prohibiting ICE from entering schools without a court order
- Emphasized the importance of educating students, families, and staff about their rights regarding ICE encounters
Darnell Benoit
6:17:31
Hello.
6:17:31
Thank you.
6:17:33
Finally, I'm happy to be here.
6:17:35
I was there in person, but, unfortunately, I couldn't stay.
6:17:39
I had another engagement.
6:17:41
But, hello, members of the of the New York City, council, and thank you so much for the opportunity to address the critical issues that impact the, well, the future of our city, the safety and well-being of immigrant students, in New York City Public School.
6:17:59
My name is Daniel Benoit from Flamboyant Haitian Literacy Project, a CBO serving Haitian immigrant youth.
6:18:07
Our job is to help immigrant youth get access to an education.
6:18:12
Unfortunately, the school that young adult immigrants attend, today are overcrowded and under fund and underfunded.
6:18:21
Booking in Queens have the most immigrants, yet there aren't any school there in the malls for these students.
6:18:28
Families have to send their students to Manhattan, to go to school.
6:18:33
And especially in this uncertain times coming, we need students to go to school where they live.
6:18:41
We need newcomer immigrant students to attend school in Brooklyn.
6:18:45
We are we're hoping that, the city council, the city, the New York City Public School, expand access to have schools in Brooklyn in students' neighborhood where they can attend school safely.
6:19:01
But more importantly, I'm here today to speak on behalf of the many immigrant children who call the city home and and are the foundation of its diverse and vibrant communities.
6:19:15
New York City is known for its cultural tapestry built in part by generations of immigrant families.
6:19:21
I'm an immigrant, who have contribute, contributed immeasurably to the city's growth and prosperity.
6:19:28
It is it is a city that stands for justice, equality, and protect and the protection of all its residents.
Manuel Castro
6:19:33
Thank you
Justin Srey
6:19:34
for your testimony.
6:19:35
Of their Time
Darnell Benoit
6:19:36
has expired.
6:19:37
Status.
6:19:37
This includes the thousand of immigrant students who walk to who walk into our school every day with dreams of learning, growing, and building a future for themselves and their families.
6:19:48
Currently, there is fear of deportation, fear of ice in our communities and new school.
6:19:53
There's already an environment of fear and anxiety for many immigrant families.
6:19:57
These students, our future engineer teachers and leaders are scared to go to school because they feel that a day of learning could be interrupted by the threat of deportation.
6:20:08
We cannot allow this to continue.
6:20:11
I stand here today I stand here today, to ask the city council, the and the New York City Public School, the city to reaffirm and strengthen its commitment to keeping ice out of our schools and ensuring that immigrant students are safe, and protected.
6:20:29
Our school should have been a place where all students, regardless of their status, can use civil quality education without fear of separation from their families.
6:20:37
I call on the council to enforce and and strengthen policies that prohibit ICE from entering schools without a court order.
6:20:43
We haven't seen anything yet from the, DOE.
6:20:48
This protection should be reinforced with clear guidelines that prevent any interaction with ICE.
6:20:54
It is essential that student families and school staff are educated on their rights.
6:20:58
In the event of an ICE encounter, students should be aware that they have the right to attend school without fear, and that they should never be questioned or detained by ICE.
6:21:07
Schools should also offer access to legal resources and assistance to helping with their families navigate potential ICE interaction and know their rights.
6:21:16
Every school should be a safe space for immigrant students.
6:21:18
We urge the city council to fund and support initiative that create supportive environments for immigrant children, places where they can access resources and counseling, like community organizations.
6:21:30
Collaboration between schools, local immigrant rights groups, and legal services providers is key.
6:21:36
Representation is key to ensuring that all immigrant students have the legal representation and support, that they need.
6:21:43
Finally, the safety of immigrant students is not just a legal obligation.
6:21:48
It's a moral imperative.
6:21:50
These children are not just students.
6:21:51
They are our neighbors, our future.
6:21:52
It's in support of what makes New York City one of the most dive dynamic and, and diverse city in the world.
6:21:59
I asked the city council to stand up for immigrant students by keeping eyes of our schools, by creating schools where students live, by providing legal resources, ensuring that schools remain safe.
6:22:11
And thank you so much for your consideration.