How School Districts Can Take Action to Protect Their Immigrant Students

Well, with more immigrant students enrolling in more districts across the country, these proposals bring the threat of immigration enforcement closer to the school gates than many school leaders realize. It’s time to act. Fortunately, school leaders have morality, financial logic, and the law on their side. In this commentary, we’ll outline why, and then present an example of how.

Organization Source:
The Century Foundation 

Organization Website:
https://tcf.org/ 

Categories:
Interaction with law enforcement (LEA) | LEA – ICE at Schools/Educational Institutions

 Date Last Updated: December 4, 2024 

1. Meet the ICE officer at the school entrance, where all visitors are screened for entry.

2. At the entrance, request the ICE officer’s name and ID, the phone number of the officer’s supervisor, and the reason for the visit during school hours.

3. Obtain any documentation from the officer (e.g., subpoena; search warrant; arrest warrant).

4. Advise the officer that you, the school official, are required by district protocols to notify and obtain guidance from the district legal counsel.

5. Advise the officer to wait outside the school building while you obtain guidance from district legal counsel.

6. Notify district legal counsel and provide them with the details and documentation obtained from the officer.

7. Wait while legal counsel reviews the materials provided. Do not take action until you obtain clear instructions from district legal counsel.

8. Contact the parents or guardians of the student(s) in question immediately after consulting with district legal counsel.

9. Ensure the school security person notifies their supervisor(s), as appropriate. (In New York City, those are the local police precinct and the New York Police Department’s School Safety Division.)

10. If the ICE officer fails to comply with instructions, do not physically attempt to interfere with any enforcement action. In these situations, obtain as much information as possible from the officer and notify the legal counsel and security supervisors.

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