As students in New York City return to classrooms this school year, many are receiving a new educational resource designed to prepare them for encounters with federal law enforcement. The comic book titled “Know Your Rights” offers guidance on interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), providing practical advice tailored to the experiences of local students and families.
The publication is part of Civics for All, a program launched in 2020 by the city’s Department of Education focused on social studies and civics education. Since its inception, the initiative has produced 45 comics covering a range of topics. The print run for “Know Your Rights” totals 140,000 copies, split evenly between English and Spanish editions. The comic is also accessible digitally in 14 languages.
“Know Your Rights” features narrative vignettes based on real-life encounters with ICE agents, emphasizing awareness of legal options at home, at work, or while traveling to school in New York City. The comic provides clear visual storytelling alongside vital information such as legal hotline numbers and instructions for organizing important documents and memorizing emergency contacts. The work was written by Alex Segura and illustrated by David Hahn.
The project was inspired by members of Project Open Arms, a city school initiative supporting immigrant students, including asylum seekers. While the Department of Education does not track immigration status, there were approximately 146,000 students classified as English language learners in city schools last year.
The release of the comic comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding immigration policy. In August, New York State implemented the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which prohibits local police from enforcing civil immigration laws on behalf of ICE. The comic’s distribution follows recent federal immigration activity in the state, including “Operation Rotten Apple,” during which more than 2,000 arrests were made by immigration officials, according to announcements from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and New York ICE field office director Kenneth Genalo. Genalo referenced the 2001 terrorist attacks in calling for law enforcement cooperation to ensure public safety.
The use of comics and graphic novels as educational tools is not unprecedented. Scholars note a significant increase in instructional comics for children and young adults over the past decade, with examples spanning subjects such as science, history, and social issues.
However, some experts have raised concerns about the content of “Know Your Rights.” Jennifer Weber, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute specializing in education policy, argued that the comic presents a one-sided portrayal by casting immigrants as protagonists and ICE as antagonists. She suggested that a more balanced approach would include context on ICE’s formation and constitutional protections like the Fourth Amendment.
Officials associated with Civics for All emphasize their flexible, experimental approach to creating educational materials that respond to gaps in traditional curricula. The program’s founders, including Joe Schmidt and Brian Carlin, have sought to highlight stories and historical events often absent in standard lessons, such as the 1863 New York Draft Riots.
Segura, the comic’s writer, expressed the importance of providing clear information during a time of increased immigration enforcement, noting the value for students and their communities in understanding their rights and available protections.
Ultimately, Civics for All underscores that the comic’s primary goal is informational, aiming to equip students with knowledge that officials say should not be controversial.