1. Require a judicial warrant
Any ICE access to non-public school areas should require a valid judicial warrant — not just a verbal request or an administrative form.
Community advocacy
How to Talk to Your School Board
School boards make the policies that determine how schools respond to immigration enforcement. If you want real, lasting change, this is where it happens.
The goal is not confrontation — it is clear, persistent, informed engagement that leads to policy change. This guide walks you through every step: making first contact, requesting a meeting, preparing, saying the right things, and following up.
Start with a clear goal
Before reaching out, be specific about what you are asking for.
2. Train all school staff
Front office staff, administrators, and teachers should know exactly what to do and who to call when enforcement officers arrive.
3. Establish communication protocols
Families should know the district's policy before any incident occurs. Clear, multilingual communication builds the trust schools depend on.
Keep the focus on student safety, clear procedures, and supporting school staff. Those are the terms that resonate across political lines.
Understand who you are contacting
School board members are elected officials who represent specific districts or regions. They respond to community input, and they balance legal, political, and operational concerns. Most of them have not thought through how their district handles immigration enforcement — and most are open to hearing from constituents who come with practical, specific asks.
On your district's website you can usually find:
- Board member names, emails, and the areas they represent
- Meeting schedules and agendas
- Public comment procedures
If your district has multiple board members, start with the one who represents your school or neighborhood. If you are not sure, reaching out to any board member is a reasonable first step.
Step 1 — Send an initial email
Your first email should be short, respectful, and clear about your request. You are not trying to win the argument in the email — you are trying to get a meeting.
- Keep it to three or four short paragraphs
- State who you are and your connection to the district
- Name the specific issues you want to discuss
- Ask for a meeting, not a decision
Sample email
Subject: Request to meet about student safety policies
Dear [Board Member Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a [parent / educator / community member] in [District Name].
I am reaching out to request a meeting to discuss student safety policies related to immigration enforcement near or at schools. Many districts across the country have adopted clear policies to ensure staff know how to respond, families are informed, and students feel safe coming to school. I believe our district has an opportunity to strengthen its approach in a way that supports both students and staff.
Specifically, I would like to discuss:
- Clear guidelines around requiring a judicial warrant for access to non-public areas
- Staff training on how to respond to enforcement situations
- Communication protocols with families
I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you or speak briefly at your convenience.
Thank you for your time and for your service to our community.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Optional: phone number]
Step 2 — Follow up
If you do not hear back within five to seven days, send a short follow-up. This is normal — board members receive a lot of email and are often managing busy schedules. Consistency and patience matter more than a single perfectly-worded message.
If one board member does not respond, consider reaching out to another, or contacting the superintendent's office directly.
Sample follow-up email
Subject: Following up — student safety policy meeting
Dear [Board Member Name],
I wanted to follow up on my previous message about discussing student safety policies related to immigration enforcement. I know schedules are busy, but I would really value the opportunity to connect, even briefly.
Please let me know if there is a time that works for you.
Thank you again for your time.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Step 3 — Set up the meeting
When a meeting is offered:
- Be flexible with timing — board members set the terms
- Ask how much time you will have (often 15–30 minutes)
- Invite one or two others if possible — a parent, educator, student, or partner from a local organization
Small groups are often more effective than large ones. A group of three or four focused people is easier to engage than a delegation of ten. If you are working with a broader coalition, consider having a core group represent the effort for this meeting.
See the coalition-building guide for help identifying and coordinating with others in your community.
Step 4 — Prepare for the conversation
Keep your message focused and practical. You do not need to be a policy expert. You need to be clear about what you are asking for and why it matters.
What to bring
- A short summary of the three policy asks
- One or two examples of what other districts have done
- A clear explanation of why this matters locally
This is about safety and clarity
Staff need to know what to do in high-stress situations. A written policy removes the guesswork.
This protects students and schools
Clear policies reduce confusion, fear, and liability — for students, families, and staff alike.
Other districts are already doing this
This is not new or untested. Dozens of districts across the country have adopted protective policies. See the policy solutions page for examples.
What to avoid
- Overloading the meeting with too much information
- Turning it into a national political debate
- Assuming bad intent on the board member's part
Stay grounded in: "We want to make sure students feel safe and schools are prepared."
Step 5 — During the meeting
A simple structure that works
Introductions (2–3 min)
Who you are and why you care. Keep it brief — let the substance take the time.
The problem (3–5 min)
Lack of clear policies creates confusion and fear — for students, families, and staff.
The solution (5–10 min)
Walk through the three policy asks. Be specific. Offer to share examples or draft language.
Discussion (remaining time)
Listen carefully, answer questions honestly, and understand concerns without conceding the core ask.
Tips for the conversation
- Be calm and respectful throughout
- Use real local examples where possible
- Ask questions: "How does the district currently handle this?" and "Is there existing guidance for staff?"
- Take notes — you will want to follow up accurately
Step 6 — Make a clear ask before you leave
Before the meeting ends, be specific about what you want to happen next. The goal is to move from conversation to process to policy.
"Would you be open to reviewing draft policy language, or continuing this conversation with district staff?"
"What would be the next step to move this forward?"
Even a vague commitment to a next step — sharing information with the superintendent, bringing it to a committee, or meeting again — is progress. Note it, follow up on it.
Step 7 — Follow up after the meeting
Send a thank-you email within 24–48 hours. It reinforces the relationship, documents what was discussed, and keeps the door open for the next step.
Sample thank-you email
Subject: Thank you for meeting
Dear [Board Member Name],
Thank you for taking the time to meet and discuss student safety policies. I appreciate the opportunity to share concerns and hear your perspective.
I am glad we were able to talk about the importance of clear procedures, staff training, and communication with families. I believe these steps can make a meaningful difference for students and staff.
Please let me know if I can provide any additional information or examples from other districts. I look forward to continuing the conversation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Bring others in
Individual conversations matter — but coordinated voices matter more. As you engage with board members:
- Invite others to reach out with their own messages
- Share what you learned with your coalition
- Encourage attendance at public board meetings so the board can see community support
- Connect your outreach back to a broader organizing effort
See the coalition-building guide for help coordinating with others, and the PTA guide for reaching parents who may not yet be involved.
If you do not get a meeting
That is okay. There are other paths forward:
- Speak during public comment at board meetings — it is open to anyone and puts your ask on the public record
- Submit written comments to the board through the district's official process
- Meet with district administrators — the superintendent's office can sometimes be more accessible than elected board members
- Build broader community support and return with more voices behind you
See the guide to speaking at board meetings for how to make public comment as effective as possible.
The opportunity
School board members are used to hearing from people when something is wrong. Fewer people come with clear, practical solutions.
Be clear. Be consistent. Bring others with you. That is how policy changes.
Ready to get started?
Find out what your district already has in place, connect with others organizing locally, and take the next step.