ACLU — Immigrants' Rights
Know-your-rights guides covering immigration enforcement, what to do if ICE comes to your home, workplace, or school, and how to access legal help.
External Resources
These organizations and publications provide legal guidance, policy research, and advocacy tools for students, families, educators, and community members.
Know your rights
ILRC — Red Cards
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center's Red Cards explain your rights in an encounter with immigration officers. Available in multiple languages and designed to be carried and used in real situations.
United We Dream
Know-your-rights resources specifically designed for immigrant youth, including guidance for DACA recipients and undocumented students.
NILC — National Immigration Law Center
Legal analysis, policy guidance, and advocacy resources on immigration law, including school-related issues and student rights.
School policy and research
UCLA — Immigration and Schools Research
UCLA's education research on how immigration enforcement affects school attendance, student well-being, and school climate, including the 2025 principal survey results.
Stanford SIEPR — Student Enrollment and Attendance Studies
Working papers from Stanford's Institute for Economic Policy Research on the effects of immigration enforcement on student attendance and enrollment.
CGO — Safe Zone Policy Research
Research on California districts with sanctuary or safe-zone school policies, documenting effects on academic outcomes and school engagement.
Urban Institute — Children in Immigrant Families
Data and research on the scale of communities affected by immigration policy, including the 5 million U.S.-citizen children with undocumented family members.
Legal help and advocacy
Immigration Advocates Network
A directory to find free and low-cost immigration legal services near you.
National Immigration Project
Legal advocacy and resources on immigration law, including guidance for individuals facing enforcement and for communities responding to enforcement activity.
Educators for Excellence
Resources for teachers and school staff on advocating for students and communities, including policy advocacy tools for educators.
MALDEF — Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Civil rights organization focused on protecting the rights of Latinos in the U.S., including education and immigration rights.
For students
United We Dream — Immigrant Youth Resources
Resources specifically for undocumented youth, DACA recipients, and students from mixed-status families — including know-your-rights, higher education access, and organizing tools.
Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC)
Resources for undocumented students pursuing higher education, including scholarship information and guidance on navigating college as an undocumented student.
Information is protection.
Knowing your rights, understanding the research, and connecting with the right organizations are all part of keeping schools safe.