Missouri
A high-level overview of immigration enforcement activity, school protection policies, and resources for families and educators in Missouri.
Overview
State context
Missouri has no state law protecting schools from immigration enforcement. Kansas City and St. Louis have taken more welcoming local postures, but the state government has generally been unsupportive of protective policies. ICE is active across the state, particularly in the Kansas City and St. Louis metro areas and in agricultural communities.
ICE activity
ICE is active in Missouri, with field operations in Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, and in agricultural communities. Joplin has a significant immigrant manufacturing workforce.
School policies
Kansas City Public Schools and some St. Louis area districts have informally worked to support immigrant families, but no formal warrant-based school policies are widely in place.
Notes for advocates
Missouri's immigrant communities include Latino families in Kansas City and the southwest, as well as Bosnian, Somali, and other refugee communities in St. Louis. The Joplin area has a significant immigrant manufacturing workforce. Advocates work primarily through legal services and community organizations.
Is your district protected?
Find out whether your school district has a warrant-based policy in place, and what you can do if it doesn't.