Student Action

Share Your Rights With Each Other

Students often learn from each other first. This page is about how you can help your friends understand their rights and feel safer — using clear, accurate information from trusted organizations.

You don't need permission to share knowledge. You just need to share the right information.

This page is about sharing information — not giving legal advice.
Always use trusted sources and avoid guessing or spreading unverified information.

Start here: use these, don't make your own

The easiest and safest way to help others is to share materials that already exist. These organizations have done the work — your job is to spread it.

Immigrant Legal Resource Center — Know Your Rights ↗
  • Videos, flyers, and simple explanations
  • Easy to share with friends

Everyone has rights in the U.S. regardless of status — this makes that clear.

ILRC "Red Cards" — Printable & Shareable
  • Short cards explaining what to say if approached by ICE
  • Available in multiple languages
  • Small enough to carry, easy to hand out

These help people assert their rights in real situations — one of the most practical things you can share.

ACLU — Immigrants' Rights ↗
  • What to say, what not to say
  • What to do in different situations
National Immigration Law Center — Student Rights
  • School rights, privacy, and access to education
  • Focused specifically on students

See also our Know Your Rights page for a summary.

"We Have Rights" — Video Series
  • Short videos explaining rights in real-life situations
  • Available in multiple languages
  • Easy to share on social media or in a group chat

Videos are one of the most shareable formats — great for reaching friends who won't read a flyer.

How to share with other students

You don't need a plan or a presentation. Here's how this actually spreads.

A. Share one thing

  • Send a link in a text
  • Share a video
  • Post a flyer photo

B. Use group chats and social media

  • Group chats, Instagram stories, Discord, school groups
  • Focus on clear info, simple messages, trusted sources
  • Don't editorialize — let the resource speak for itself

C. Talk about it directly

  • "Do you know your rights if ICE shows up?"
  • "I found this — want me to send it to you?"

What to actually say

You don't need to explain everything. Keep it simple.

Three things everyone should know:

You have the right to stay silent.

You don't have to answer questions about immigration status.

You can ask for a lawyer.

Everyone in the U.S. has constitutional rights, including the right to remain silent during questioning. You don't need to be a citizen for these protections to apply.

Make it real with scenarios

Abstract info is hard to remember. Situations stick.

"If someone asks about your status…"

You don't have to answer. You have the right to stay silent. Say "I am exercising my right to remain silent" and don't say anything else.

"If ICE is near school…"

Go inside. Stay with staff. Schools have procedures to keep students safe — let staff handle it and don't engage directly.

"If something happens to a parent…"

Know who your emergency contact is. Know who at school to talk to. Plan ahead so you're not making decisions alone in the moment.

Support your friends, not just information

Some students may be scared. Some may not know who to trust.

What you can do

  • Share information calmly — don't add fear to the conversation
  • Listen without judgment
  • Encourage talking to a trusted adult at school

What to avoid

  • Don't give legal advice or guess at answers
  • Don't spread rumors or unverified information
  • Don't share someone else's personal situation

Information should come from reliable organizations to ensure accuracy and safety. Your role is to point people toward those resources — not to be the expert yourself.

If your school isn't talking about this

You can still make a difference.

  • Share resources with friends on your own
  • Start small conversations — one person at a time
  • Help people feel informed before they need to be

Even small actions help others feel safer and more prepared.

Learn the full rights

Everything students need to know about their legal protections — in plain language.

Know Your Rights →

Are you an educator?

See the educator-specific guide for how to bring this into your classroom.

Educator Guide →

Want to organize more?

For bigger action — campaigns, protests, and community organizing.

Organize a Campaign →