Throughout 2025, PSC members have mobilized in a variety of ways to fight the fascist agenda of the Trump administration. One of those mobilizations has been the commitment to support immigrants, both at CUNY and throughout the city, when faced with the brutal anti-immigrant clampdown by the Trump administration.
“Know your rights” literature at immigration court. (Credit: Paul Frangipane)
Since the beginning of the year, the union’s Immigrant Solidarity Working Group (ISWG) has held countless trainings where members have learned about ways to share Know Your Rights information, and protect our campuses, our members, and our students. Further, regular trainings prepare members and our allies to attend “court watch” any Thursday or Friday morning at the lower Manhattan federal buildings where members assist immigrants and inform them of their rights. To date, more than 200 members have made more than 670 visits to the courts.
SESSIONS
At the group’s regular training sessions, members from all around the University have shown up to offer their help at court watch. Some speak languages other than English and want to assist
The PSC is leading the movement. (Credit: Paul Frangipane)
as translators. Others are good with children and can comfort them while their parents are in hearings. At the training sessions, seasoned activists have informed newcomers about what to expect during “court watch,” and many have described a harrowing and emotional experience where callous, aggressive agents menacingly attempt to intimidate the public as they cruelly detain neighbors.
The group has also organized 15 ISWG campus teams across CUNY to build the work by protecting our campuses, tabling Know Your Rights information, and making ties to community groups in order to respond to ICE in the neighborhoods, if necessary get ready for future activity.
PSC Secretary Andrea Vásquez arrested during a civil disobedience.
(Credit: Erik McGregor)
PSC members have also participated in countless demonstrations against any federal activity and recruiting on CUNY campuses. Faculty, staff and students have engaged in speak-outs about immigrant justice on campuses. Andrea Vásquez, the PSC secretary and a leader in the union’s Immigrant Solidarity Working Group, was recently
arrested in a civil disobedience outside the federal building with other trade unionists and activists. In May, the union joined with students to deliver a 7,300-signature petition to the CUNY administration demanding no federal immigration enforcement at CUNY campuses.
It has been an intense year of organizing, and it will likely grow and continue in 2026, as the Trump administration has shown no signs of backing down from its draconian policies and may even intensify federal enforcement in New York City specifically. In December, the Trump administration fired seven immigration judges in the city, and immigration activists have vowed more resistance to federal raids in the city.
Sándor John leads an anti-ICE speak-out at Hunter College. (Credit: Paul Frangipane)
GOING FORWARD
Interested in getting involved? The union’s activity around immigrant solidarity is growing. To learn how to participate in court watch and other forms of organizing around immigrant justice, members can visit the working group’s page on the union’s website at: https://psc-cuny.org/issues/immigrant-solidarity-working-group/#information-resources.
At the site, members can find the solidarity statement that faculty are putting on course syllabi, as well as solidarity posters, petitions, links to other immigrant support groups and information about upcoming events.
The PSC has participated in many demonstrations for immigrant rights. (Credit: Paul Frangipane)
Members can also sign up at HandsOffNYC.com to stay informed and be prepared in the event that federal troops are deployed to our city. PSC and more than 200 other organizations are coordinating rapid response to say loudly and clearly that ICE is not welcome here.
Published: December 11, 2025
