Teachers unions are reportedly helping organize protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with some activists bringing children to potentially dangerous demonstrations.
Major teachers unions in Oregon and other Democrat-led states have mobilized members to protest ICE operations, as some of the demonstrations have escalated into violent confrontations with federal agents, The Washington Examiner reported Tuesday.
Late last month, Oregon's largest teachers unions helped organize a large protest outside an ICE detention facility in Portland that ended with federal agents deploying tear gas after protesters attempted to breach federal property.
Video footage from the scene showed children, including infants, caught in the chaos as officers tried to control the crowd.
Critics say activists deliberately placed children in harm's way to generate emotional outrage and anti-ICE media coverage.
The Oregon Education Association (OEA), a state affiliate of the National Education Association, helped rally educators from across the Portland area to join what organizers called an "ICE Out" march.
The American Federation of Teachers of Oregon, which represents more than 18,000 educators statewide, also co-organized the event.
"Where there are educators, there are always going to be children and families," OEA said in a social media post after the protest.
Investigative journalist Andy Ngo, who has documented extremist protest tactics in Portland, said children were likely brought to the demonstrations to create propaganda.
Many adult protesters arrived wearing gas masks and protective gear, suggesting they anticipated clashes with law enforcement.
Federal agents deployed tear gas only after protesters trespassed onto ICE property and rushed a security gate, according to local reporting by KPTV. Despite that, Democrat officials quickly blamed ICE for the chaos.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson accused federal authorities of "gassing children," while City Councilor Mitch Green, who was present at the protest, called for abolishing ICE and the Department of Homeland Security altogether.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek echoed those claims, saying ICE "has no place in Oregon."
The Portland protest was not an isolated incident.
According to the New York Post, New York City's United Federation of Teachers called for a nationwide "Day of Action" against ICE, urging educators to protest in the streets after school hours.
In Minneapolis, violent anti-ICE demonstrations have followed the death of an activist during a confrontation with immigration officers.
Teachers unions in Ohio have also denounced ICE enforcement, claiming it is disrupting schools.
The Ohio Education Association said immigration enforcement has led to lower attendance among migrant students, while local unions called on schools to be treated as "safe spaces" free from federal law enforcement, WVXU reported.
Critics argue unions are blurring the line between education and political activism — and using children as tools to advance a far-left agenda.
"Parents, teachers, and community members need to put a stop to the teachers unions and their nonprofit allies training minors to be street activists," Rhyen Staley of Defending Education told The Washington Examiner.
"The school-to-activist pipeline must come to an end."
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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