CATESOL's Solidarity Statements (March 2026)

CATESOL Resolution: Condemning Nationality-Based Immigration Pauses, January 2026 | California, USA 

Whereas, the California Association for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (CATESOL) supports equitable, trauma-informed education and advocacy for multilingual learners, immigrant families, and communities striving for safety, opportunity, and dignity; and 

Whereas, recent U.S. government policies have implemented indefinite pauses on immigration benefit processing and visa issuance for citizens of certain countries following the November 2025 violence in Washington, D.C.; and 

Whereas, these policies treat entire national groups as collectively responsible for individual actions, creating undue harm to people who seek protection, family reunification, work opportunities, education, and safe futures; and 

Whereas, the current policies affect citizens of the following 19 countries, who face paused immigration case adjudication or heightened “high-risk” review: 

  • Afghanistan 
  • Burma (Myanmar) 
  • Burkina Faso
  • Chad 
  • Republic of the Congo 
  • Equatorial Guinea 
  • Eritrea 
  • Haiti 
  • Iran 
  • Laos 
  • Libya 
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Sierra Leone 
  • Somalia 
  • Sudan 
  • South Sudan 
  • Syria
  • Yemen

I. Expression of Condolence and Solidarity 

CATESOL condemns all acts of violence and extends deepest condolences to those affected by the tragedies in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere. We stand in solidarity with survivors, families, and communities experiencing trauma, loss, and uncertainty. 

II. Condemnation of Collective Punishment 

CATESOL affirms that: 

  1. Justice must be individualized. No one person’s actions should justify punishing millions based on nationality. 
  2. Human dignity and due process are fundamental rights under U.S. and international law. 
  3. Individuals from these 19 countries, including refugees, asylum seekers, long-term residents, students, and families, contribute to U.S. communities and deserve fair and timely adjudication. 

 

III. Human-Centered Perspective 

Many of the individuals affected face real danger—including persecution, violence, or death—if forced to return to their home countries. They have built new lives here: learning English, pursuing education, and striving to create safety, opportunity, and stability for themselves and their children. These learners enrich our classrooms and communities every day. 
Supporting this resolution is not a political stance; it is an educational and ethical one. Justice requires due process, not collective punishment, and CATESOL stands in solidarity with all impacted individuals from Afghanistan and the other 18 affected nations. 

IV. Call to Action 

CATESOL calls on U.S. government agencies, elected officials, and civil society organizations to: 

  1. Immediately reverse nationality-based pauses on immigration benefit processing and visa issuance. 
  2. Ensure individualized adjudication for all pending immigration cases, free from discrimination or nationality-based restrictions. 
  3. Provide clarity, support, and protection for applicants from the 19 affected nations, so families, students, and workers are not left in limbo. 

 

V. Actionable Steps for Individuals 

  1. Contact Your Representatives: Write or call Senators and House Members to oppose nationality-based pauses and advocate for fair, individualized review of all immigration cases. 
  2. Support Families and Communities: Volunteer, donate, and partner with local immigrant and refugee organizations to help learners and families navigate uncertainty. Encourage schools and organizations to adopt trauma-informed, inclusive practices. 

Statement in Response to Recent Immigration Enforcement Activity in Minnesota

This solidarity statement is adapted from an original statement by MinneTESOL, with the subject modified to reflect CATESOL.


CATESOL stands with Minnesota’s multilingual learners, their families, and the educators who serve them during this deeply distressing time. Recent federal immigration enforcement actions have created widespread fear in immigrant and refugee communities across our state. In schools and programs at every age level, English learner attendance has dropped sharply as families stay home out of concern for their safety.

When fear takes hold, learning cannot.

Educators and community members are responding with compassion and deep commitment, but this extraordinary work is taking a considerable toll. We see you. We know you are teaching those who can attend, planning rapid shifts to hyflex and asynchronous learning, and spending evenings and weekends delivering food, coordinating transportation and laundry runs, and checking in on families. This is trauma-informed crisis care layered onto already demanding professional roles.

MinneTESOL members, we know you are exhausted, and this weight of care is not sustainable.

CATESOL affirms the dignity and humanity of all multilingual learners and their families, and we honor the incredible work of English learner educators across Minnesota. We remain committed to voicing the concerns of our members and advocating for schools and programs to remain places of safety, welcome, and learning in the midst of fear.

May our classrooms remain places of refuge, our teaching acts of care, and our collective response grounded in courage, compassion, and hope.

Thank you for all you are carrying. CATESOL stands with you, now and in the days ahead.

CATESOL 2025-2026 Executive Committee