What to do if ICE Visits Your School: Sample Policies and Guidance from School Districts and States

By now most of us have heard that schools will no longer be off limits for immigration enforcement due to President Trump rescinding a 2011 "sensitive locations" memo that included schools. This is a collection of policies, guidance, and protocols used by various school districts and states for what to do if ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) visits your school. Please note, this is a "living" document and will be added to regularly as we identify more districts or states to include. If you are in a district or state that does not yet have a policy, we hope these examples will give you a starting point.

Alabama

• Statewide Guidance

Alaska

• Juneau School District

Arizona:

• Phoenix Union High School District

• Tucson Unified School District

Arkansas

• North Little Rock School District

• Jacksonville North Pulaski School District

• Pulaski County Special School District

California:

• Statewide Guidance from CA Dept. of Education & CA Dept. of Justice

• Oakland Unified School District

• San Diego Unified School District

• Santa Clara County Office of Education

Colorado:

• Aurora Public Schools

• Denver Public Schools (board policy and video from their Office of General Counsel)

Connecticut

• Statewide Guidance

• Bridgeport Public Schools

Delaware

• Statewide Guidance

Florida

• Broward County Public Schools

Georgia

• Dekalb County School District

Idaho

• Statewide Guidance

Illinois

• Statewide Guidance

• Chicago Public Schools

• Evanston/Skokie School District 65

• School District U-46

Indiana

• Indianapolis Public Schools

Iowa

• Cedar Rapids Community School District

• Des Moines Public Schools

Kansas

• Statewide Guidance

  
  

Kentucky

• Jefferson County Public Schools

Maryland:

• Statewide Guidance

• Anne Arundel County Public Schools

• Baltimore City Schools

• Howard County Public Schools (policy and resources)

• Montgomery County Public Schools

• Prince George’s County Public Schools

Massachusetts

• Statewide Guidance

• Boston Public Schools

Michigan

• Statewide Guidance

• Grand Rapids Public Schools

• Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA)

Minnesota

• Statewide Guidance

• Minneapolis Public Schools

Nevada

• Clark County School District

  
  

New Jersey

• Statewide Guidance

  
  

New Mexico

• Albuquerque Public Schools

New York

• Statewide Guidance

• New York City Department of Education

North Carolina

• Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

• Durham Public Schools

• Wake County Public School System

Ohio

• Akron Public Schools

• Cleveland Metropolitan School District

Oregon

• Statewide Guidance

  
  

Pennsylvania

• Statewide Guidance

• Philadelphia Public Schools (resolution and guidance)

Rhode Island

• Statewide Guidance

Tennessee

• Metro Nashville Public Schools

  
  

Texas:

• Austin ISD (see under “guidance for staff”)

• Dallas ISD

• Fort Worth ISD

• San Antonio ISD

Utah:

• Salt Lake City School District

• Weber School District

  
  

Vermont:

• Statewide Guidance

  
  

Virginia:

• Albemarle County Public Schools

• Arlington Public Schools

• Fairfax County Public Schools

• Prince William County Public Schools

  
  

Washington:

• Statewide Guidance

Wisconsin:

• Statewide Guidance

• Milwaukee Public Schools

National Resources:

• AASA, School Superintendent’s Association (includes a sample protocol with 7 steps)

• ImmSchools has a number of resources and templates here

• National Immigration Law Center's Factsheet: Trump’s Rescission of Protected Areas Policies Undermines Safety for All

Do you know of a district or state protocol we should include here? Email it to Laura Gardner at laura@immigrantsrefugeesandschools.org and we'll add it to the list.