Milwaukee: Welcome home, Yessenia Ruano!

Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association

Welcome home, Yessenia Ruano!

ALBA educator Yessenia Ruano was back at ALBA School today after her future in this country was very much in doubt last Friday. She recently received a letter from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stating she would be deported. The mother of two young daughters, both U.S. citizens, fled gang violence in El Salvador in 2011 and was trafficked to the U.S. She has since made her home in Milwaukee and established herself as a integral part of the ALBA school community which is why ALBA MTEA members and the Milwaukee community rallied for her ICE appointment last Friday. A large group, including many ALBA members crowded the sidewalks outside Milwaukee’s downtown ICE office in support of Yessenia. Yessenia shared her heartbreaking story with her two daughters crying on each arm before entering ICE for her scheduled appointment. She soon emerged victorious! She was granted additional time to process her T visa and today, was back working at ALBA. We took a photo to commemorate the moment and Yessenia brought pupusas to say thank you.

The swift action in support of Yessenia was no mistake. Members in her building started organizing immediately after November’s election. They held two member meetings where they organized three building teams including a “Know Your Rights” team, a team to research resources for staff so they could better assist and advocate for students and families, and a Rapid Response Team. It just so happens the Rapid Response Team was called into action immediately upon learning Yessenia had received the letter from ICE. This quick and decisive action by ALBA union members without a doubt played a significant role in making sure ALBA didn’t lose a beloved educator and Yessenia’s family wouldn’t be separated. We can all learn an important lesson from the actions of ALBA members as we navigate the next several years with an administration focused on ripping apart families and privatizing public schools and other essential public institutions. We’re stronger together and together we will win for our students, workers, immigrants, our profession, public schools, and our communities.