Students investigate policies protecting immigrants in New York City.

Students

Since the start of 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested 3,212 people in New York City. More than half of them —<a href="https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/05/ice-deportations-arrests-immigration-data/"> 57%</a> — have been deported. As immigration enforcement increases across the city, it is more important than ever for immigrants to have strong local legal protections and support.
In the Fall of 2025, CUP Teaching Artist Sydney Abady collaborated with students from International Community High School to investigate policies protecting immigrants in New York City. The class learned about why people migrate, what to do in an ICE encounter, and what rights immigrant communities have in NYC. 
To explore these questions, students talked with community members, interviewed stakeholders working on the issue, and created art through drawing and photography. They gathered what they learned to create a booklet about immigrant protections and resources in New York City. 

Check out more <a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCSWt6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photos of students in action</a>!

Cover and opening spread of Many Roots, One City!

Check Out the Project

ICHS 2025 Many Roots One City

CUP
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/hugo-rojas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hugo Rojas</a><a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/ana-beirne-meyer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Ana Beirne-Meyer</a>

International Community High School
Principal: Berena Cabarcas Teacher: Nick Deming

Teaching Artist and Designer
Teaching Artist: <a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/syd-abady">Syd Abady</a> Designer: <a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/sarah-auches">Sarah Auches</a>

Project Collaborators

<h4>Students</h4>
Class J, Class K, Class L, Class M
<h4>Special Thanks</h4>
Alexa Avilés, District 38 Council Member, Chair of NYC’s Committee on Immigration
Marco Saavedra, Artist and activist, La Morada, Oaxacan Kitchen and Community Space
Janice Northia, Manager of Community Engagement at New York Immigration Coalition
Angy Rivera, Co-Executive Director of New York State Youth Leadership Council
 
<h4>Funding Support</h4>
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Diana Ayala.

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Hyperakt is a purpose-driven design and innovation studio that elevates human dignity and ignites curiosity. Since 2001, co-founders Julia Zeltser and Deroy Peraza, along with the Hyperakt team, have been partnering with change-makers moving society forward. We believe in design’s power to build a future filled with courage, optimism, and honesty.

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The Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of design and art to increase meaningful civic engagement in partnership with historically marginalized communities.

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