Student Rights Education: Preparing for Immigration Enforcement

This is a student safety and legal literacy approach — not a political program.

Students are more likely to remain calm, seek help appropriately, and avoid harm when they understand their rights and know what their school's procedures are.

What students benefit from knowing

We encourage schools to provide age-appropriate instruction that gives students a clear, practical understanding of their rights. The goal is preparation — not alarm.

Core topics every student should understand

The right to remain silent
The right to ask for a lawyer
The right to not answer questions about immigration status
The right to attend school regardless of immigration status
The role of the school in protecting student information under FERPA

All children have a right to attend public school regardless of immigration status, and federal law protects student information from unauthorized disclosure. (Know Your Rights →)

Students listening to a teacher in class

Approaches to delivering rights education

Rights education is most effective when it is consistent across all schools in a district and delivered through multiple channels — not left to individual staff or reactive moments.

A. Visible materials Core

We encourage schools to display and distribute:

Posters in common areas (hallways, cafeteria, front office)
Printed handouts for students and families
Multilingual "Know Your Rights" materials in languages spoken by the school community

B. Classroom-based instruction Recommended

Schools can incorporate instruction into advisory periods, homeroom, civics, or social studies. Instruction works best when it:

Focuses on practical knowledge and what students should do in real situations
Is led by trained staff using district-approved materials
Avoids political framing — emphasizes safety and procedure

C. Scenario-based guidance Core

Students benefit from knowing how to handle real situations. Schools are encouraged to cover what to do if:

Immigration enforcement is near or on school grounds
An officer attempts to question them
A parent or guardian is detained
They need help — and who at school to go to

Schools and educators are encouraged to help students prepare for potential immigration enforcement scenarios and understand how to respond safely.

D. School-hosted workshops Recommended

Schools can offer "Know Your Rights" sessions for both students and families, delivered by trained staff or community legal organizations. Workshops work well when they include:

Family preparedness planning
How to identify and designate a trusted adult for emergencies
What families should have in place before any incident occurs

How schools can share Know Your Rights materials and host partner-led workshops — without acting as legal advisors →

Staff role in student education

The trusted adult model

Students need to know who they can turn to at school. When staff are prepared to fill that role consistently and confidently, students feel safer.

We encourage schools to ensure staff are prepared to:

Answer student questions about rights and procedures accurately
Provide calm reassurance without overpromising or speculating
Direct students to appropriate support — counselors, administrators, or legal resources

Educators play a key role in informing students and families about their rights and supporting them during immigration enforcement concerns.

School as a safe space

Schools that communicate the following clearly and consistently build trust with all students:

Students are safe at school
Schools do not enforce immigration law
There are written procedures in place to protect students
There are trusted adults available to help

Schools that maintain a safe and welcoming environment and have clear policies in place help all students stay focused on learning.

District-level consistency

Rights education works best when it is consistent. A student's understanding of their rights should not depend on which teacher they have or which school they attend.

Define minimum standards

Districts benefit from establishing clear standards for what student rights education includes — covering topics, formats, and frequency — rather than leaving decisions to individual schools.

Use consistent materials

When all schools in the district use the same approved materials, translated into relevant languages, families can trust they are receiving accurate information.

Avoid ad hoc approaches

Rights education is most effective when it is proactive — built into regular school operations before any situation arises, not delivered reactively after an incident.

Age-appropriate implementation

Content and framing should be calibrated to where students are developmentally.

Elementary

Focus on safety and trusted adults
Who to go to at school if they feel scared or unsure
Simple language: "You are safe at school"

Middle School

Introduce basic rights — remaining silent, asking for help
Scenario-based discussion of what to do in different situations
How the school protects student information

High School

Full rights education — legal rights, school procedures, FERPA
Practical guidance for a range of scenarios
Family preparedness planning and emergency contacts

Communication with families

Student rights education extends beyond the classroom. Families benefit from receiving the same information their children do — in a language they can understand.

We encourage schools to:

Share all rights education materials with families in multiple languages
Provide guidance on family preparedness plans and emergency contacts
Offer access to workshops or information sessions for parents and guardians
Include rights information in standard back-to-school and enrollment communications