CHICAGO (WGN) Members of the Chicago Teachers Union and employees with Chicago Public Schools gathered on Wednesday to determine a plan to prepare students’ families for potential ICE raids and educate them on their rights.

“I have no idea if there will be tanks in the neighborhoods tomorrow. I have no idea if people are going to show up with rifles strapped to their back,” CTU President Stacey Davis Gates said. “That’s the thing about this right now—that it’s terrible to lead [right now] because you have no idea. You would have never thought, because how in the hell is this happening?”

According to the CTU, members at CPS schools will be handing out “Know Your Rights” materials during student drop-off and pick-up on Friday, and they have also held virtual trainings for parents on constitutional protections.

CTU officials also said they will be posting watch teams around schools to be on the lookout for ICE activity.

“What we need is not more surveillance. Not troops that are harassing our students,” one CTU member said. “Not federal agents that are deporting them and striking fear and terror into the hearts of families across Chicago. We are here because we need what the mayor is already doing—investing in people.”

CPS officials also said they do not ask for families’ immigration status, and will not share student records with ICE, or allow access to CPS schools or facilities, unless they show a warrant signed by a federal judge.

Other measures include CPS school security guards being trained on procedures, should federal agents show up at schools, and maintaining close communication with public safety and legal partners at the city and state level for the latest information.

CPS CEO Macquline King shared the following statement with WGN-TV on Wednesday:

“I am disappointed that this threat is weighing so heavily on families at a time when we should be celebrating the return to the classroom. The start of a new school year should be about learning and discovery, not fear and intimidation. CPS can and will do everything possible to ensure school remains a safe place for all of our students and staff.”

Davis Gates was also asked if a pivot into remote learning would be a possible option if students fear they are unsafe coming to school. The CTU President said remote learning was implemented under similar circumstances in Los Angeles, but she does not believe CPS has the technological infrastructure to quickly institute remote learning.

At a press conference Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker said he expects a federal surge to happen this weekend.