1. Build a base
Recruit parents, students, educators, and community members within a district. A small, committed group is enough to begin.
Utah
No ICE in Utah Schools
No Utah district fully meets all criteria for a complete protective policy. Change happens at the district level — through organized, coordinated community action.
This campaign is focused on building coalitions in key districts to develop strategy, recruit community members, and work directly with school boards to adopt clear protections.
Where the campaign is active
Utah has seven active campaign districts. Three are the primary focus — with full strategy guides and board meeting resources. Four more have dedicated campaign pages.
Primary focus districts
Also active
Not sure which district you're in? Browse all Utah districts →
How change happens in Utah
There is no state law requiring action. Every protection in Utah is the result of organized, local advocacy at the district level.
2. Form a coalition
Connect organizations — faith groups, immigrant support organizations, parent groups, and educators — into a coordinated effort.
3. Develop a strategy
Align on messaging, prepare speakers, and define a clear, written policy ask. Use the Utah draft policy language as a starting point.
4. Engage the board
Show up to public meetings with a unified, coordinated request. Consistent presence across multiple meetings signals this is not a one-time concern.
Upcoming board meetings — primary focus districts
Public comment is a direct line to decision-makers. Plan to attend with supporters.
What we're asking for
Three core protections form the foundation of every district campaign in Utah. Together they close the gaps that leave students and families exposed.
Warrant requirement
No immigration enforcement officer should enter non-public school areas — classrooms, hallways, offices — without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. An administrative ICE form is not a warrant and does not compel school access.
Learn the difference between a judicial and administrative warrant →
Staff training
Every front office employee needs a written protocol for what to do when enforcement officers arrive — who to call, what to say, and what to ask for. Without written training, responses vary by school and by staff member.
No Utah district currently has a complete, publicly available training protocol.
Family communication
Families need to know the district's policy — in writing, in accessible languages, before any incident occurs. This includes how the district will notify parents if enforcement activity affects their child's school.
Clear communication policies reduce fear and help families make informed decisions.
Key takeaways for Utah advocates
Even the best districts are incomplete
No Utah district fully meets all nine criteria. The most common gaps statewide are training, emergency protocols, and formal board adoption. There is room to push in every district.
Most districts are starting from zero
The ask is not to overhaul a hostile system — it is to create basic protections where none exist. You are not asking them to change direction. You are asking them to start.
Utah leaves it to districts
Every protection in Utah is the result of local organizing. Every unprotected district is a direct advocacy opportunity with a reachable decision-maker: your local school board.
The Utah Compact is an asset
Utah's history of bipartisan civic engagement — the Compact, LDS Church positions, business community support — makes cross-party advocacy more viable here than in most conservative states.
The five highest-impact asks for any Utah district
- Require a judicial warrant before any immigration enforcement officer enters non-public school areas
- Train front office staff with a clear, written script for what to do and who to call
- Adopt a formal board policy — not a FAQ, not informal guidance, but a policy the board has voted on
- Protect student records — make explicit that FERPA applies to immigration enforcement requests
- Create a public emergency response plan for when enforcement officers arrive on campus
District Scorecard
See how each Utah district scores on the five core protections.
View Scorecard →
For organizations and partners
This is a coordinated, statewide effort built through district-level coalitions. The goal is to bring organizations together to pass clear policies through local school boards.
How organizations can engage:
- Join coalition planning efforts in a target district
- Help recruit community members
- Coordinate messaging and outreach
- Provide speakers for school board meetings
- Partner with other organizations instead of working independently
Utah context
State policy landscape
Utah took a nationally notable step with the Utah Compact (2010) — a statement of principles signed by law enforcement, business, faith, and civic leaders — calling for a humane and measured approach to immigration enforcement. The LDS Church's moderating influence and a history of bipartisan civic engagement have made Utah somewhat more open to advocacy than other conservative states.
However, the state legislature has not enacted any law requiring school districts to adopt protective policies. Every district makes its own choices. Most have not made any formal choice at all.
ICE activity in Utah
ICE is active across the Salt Lake Valley and in communities tied to construction, services, and food processing. Local law enforcement has generally maintained a cooperative posture with federal enforcement, facilitating operations across the Wasatch Front.
What this means for families
Because Utah places no requirements on districts, a family's protection depends entirely on which district their child attends. No Utah district currently meets all criteria for a complete protective policy. Even the strongest districts have significant gaps.
General resources
- Draft policy language for Utah school districts
- Policy solutions schools can adopt
- Model policy language for districts
- Know your rights
- How to organize a campaign in your district
- Take action
- Sign up to stay informed
- Follow @NoICEinSchools_Utah on Instagram — Utah-specific updates
- Follow No ICE in Schools on Facebook — national updates
Your school board makes the call.
In Utah, there is no state law to wait for. Change happens when organized groups of community members and organizations work together to make a clear, coordinated ask.