Model Policy Statement

Immigration Enforcement on School Property

Purpose

This policy is intended to protect the educational environment, ensure legal process is followed before immigration enforcement access is granted, and preserve trust between the district and the families it serves. Schools are places of learning. This policy helps keep them that way.

Judicial warrant requirement

Before any immigration enforcement officer is permitted to enter a non-public area of any district school or facility, the officer must present a valid judicial warrant — a warrant signed by a federal or state judge — authorizing the specific action being requested. An administrative warrant, a civil immigration detainer, or a verbal request alone does not satisfy this requirement.

Staff who receive any request from immigration enforcement officers to access non-public school areas shall immediately contact the building principal and the district superintendent or designated district official. Staff shall not grant access or confirm or deny any student's presence or information pending that review.

Student removal

No student shall be removed from school by immigration enforcement officers without a valid judicial warrant and district review. The building principal or designee shall contact district legal counsel before permitting any enforcement officer to take custody of a student.

Student records and information

Student records and personally identifiable information are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and district policy. Staff shall not voluntarily disclose student records, identify students by name, or confirm student enrollment to any outside party, including immigration enforcement officers, without proper legal authorization reviewed through district procedures.

Response protocol

The district shall maintain a written response protocol for immigration enforcement visits. Staff shall receive training on this protocol annually. The protocol shall include steps for:

• Requesting identification from any officer who presents themselves at a school
• Reviewing any documents the officer presents
• Contacting the principal, superintendent, and district legal counsel
• Maintaining calm school operations and minimizing disruption to students
• Documenting the interaction, including names, badge numbers, documents presented, and time
• Communicating with affected families after an incident, consistent with privacy requirements

What this policy does not do

This policy does not prohibit compliance with a valid judicial warrant. It does not instruct staff to obstruct or interfere with law enforcement. It does not apply to emergency situations involving immediate threats to the physical safety of students or staff, which are governed by separate emergency response procedures. This policy applies to civil immigration enforcement and is designed to ensure that enforcement actions follow proper legal process.

Staff training

The superintendent or designee shall ensure that all district staff who may be in a position to receive immigration enforcement requests receive annual training on this policy, including how to recognize a judicial warrant, who to contact, and how to maintain a calm school environment.

Family communication

The district shall publish this policy on the district website and provide a plain language summary in all languages spoken by a significant portion of district families. The district shall make available a point of contact for families who have questions about enforcement-related procedures.