Maryland School District PTA Trains Parents to Disrupt ICE Operations

The virtual training session in Montgomery County was led by Councilwoman Kristin Mink and provided guidance on how to respond to ICE activity.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Parent Teacher Association officials in one of the wealthiest school districts in Maryland hosted a training session last month instructing families on how to respond to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. The virtual PTA session in Montgomery County was led by Councilwoman Kristin Mink and provided guidance on how to escort students with illegal immigrant parents, monitor ICE activity during drop-off and pickup, and support families affected by ICE arrests and deportations.

Why it matters

The training session reflects a growing movement within the anti-ICE community, where immigrant-led organizations have clashed with predominantly White 'rapid response' activists over the use of tactics like whistles during immigration raids. Critics argue that PTAs should focus on academic success rather than engaging in political activism.

The details

During the session, Mink presented comprehensive 'rapid response' guidance, including advising 'White allies' not to use whistles to counter 'ICE violence,' as she argued that whistles can represent a 'subconscious desire for authority, protection, or control' that can cause stress to marginalized communities. The presentation also addressed how certain characteristics like gender, sexuality, and education align with positions of power or marginalization.

  • The virtual PTA session was held on January 20, 2026.
  • Mink had previously hosted multiple sessions on ways schools can equip themselves with 'tools to slow ICE down and protect each other.'

The players

Kristin Mink

A Montgomery County Councilwoman who hosted the virtual PTA session and has previously led multiple sessions on ways schools can respond to ICE activity.

Montgomery County Council of PTAs

The organization that promoted and advertised the virtual training session on its social media platforms.

Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN)

An immigrant-led organization that has argued that blowing whistles during immigration raids is a 'White Savior' tactic that creates unnecessary panic and escalates tension.

Kendall Tietz

An investigative reporter at Defending Education who criticized the PTA session, arguing that parent-teacher organizations should prioritize academic success rather than engaging in political activism.

Gaithersburg Middle School, Laytonsville Elementary School, and Stedwick Elementary School

Local PTAs in Montgomery County that promoted the virtual training session on their official platforms.

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What they’re saying

“Especially for White allies, whistles can represent a subconscious desire for authority, protection, or control in moments of crisis. But rapid response is not about assuming authority. . . . When we question decisions made by those impacted, we risk centering our own comfort instead of impacted people.”

— Kristin Mink, Councilwoman (National Review)

“It goes without saying, PTAs should focus on their original intent: students — not injecting inflammatory and divisive political rhetoric into the community.”

— Kendall Tietz, Investigative Reporter, Defending Education (National Review)

The takeaway

This training session highlights the growing tensions between immigrant-led organizations and predominantly White 'rapid response' activists over the appropriate tactics to use in responding to ICE activity. It also raises questions about the role of PTAs in engaging in political activism versus focusing on academic success.