Protecting Students from Harmful Immigration Enforcement in California K-12 Public Schools 

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This resource was drafted by Sarah Hernaez, Education Equity Project Intern.

The following know-your-rights content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 

On August 11, 2025, immigration agents drew their weapons at a 15-year-old student with a disability outside of a Los Angeles high school.1 They handcuffed him and detained him without reasonable suspicion. The student was ultimately released when the immigration agents realized it was a case of mistaken identity. Unfortunately, the fear of incidents like this has become disturbingly common across our communities, with agents increasingly present near schools.

With over 1.4 million immigrant students enrolled in California schools and 20% of all students living in mixed-status families,2 immigration enforcement deeply affects a large number of students.3 Recent immigration enforcement actions have caused a 22% rise in student absences and heightened anxiety, especially among younger students, undermining mental health and academic success.4 Understanding the impact of immigration enforcement on students and families, best practices for communities and schools to respond, and student rights is essential to protecting students.

The Rescission of the “Sensitive Locations” Memo and Its Impact on School Enforcement

On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration rescinded the “Sensitive Locations” memo, a long-standing U.S. Department of Homeland Security policy that limited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) operations at schools, hospitals, and churches. With this limitation removed, ICE and related agencies, such as Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) and Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), now have broader authority to conduct enforcement in and around K-12 public campuses, preschools, colleges, universities, and even school bus stops. This change has caused confusion and fear among students, parents, and educators, undermining safe and inclusive learning environments. Despite this change, your fundamental rights remain. Under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, all individuals, regardless of immigration status, are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures. This means federal immigration agents still cannot enter private areas without legal authority, such as a judicial warrant (warrant signed by a judge).

Best Practices for Schools in Response to Immigration Enforcement

In April 2025, HSI agents appeared unannounced at two Los Angeles elementary schools to question students.5 School principals, following district policies, successfully denied the agents entry after they failed to provide adequate legal authority. Their response protected students and underscored why schools must have clear, enforceable policies to defend immigrant families’ rights and create safe learning environments.

California has passed state laws to protect immigrant students and families. Assembly Bill 699 of 2017 (“AB 699”) prohibits schools from collecting immigration status information, identifies immigration status as a protected class, and limits cooperation with immigration enforcement.6 Senate Bill 54 of 2017 (“SB 54”) limits local law enforcement, including school police, from enforcing federal immigration law.7 These laws work together to help keep schools safe and welcoming for all students, regardless of their or their family’s immigration status. 

In September 2025, California Governor Newsom signed AB 49, which provides further guidance for school officials and employees in navigating any immigration enforcement in schools, with additional guidance from the Attorney General published in December 2025.9 Schools are required to update their school policies in accordance with AB 49 by March 2026. These policies outline guidance on information sharing, control law enforcement access to campuses, and promote safe, welcoming schools. Not complying with these policies violates state law and places immigrant students and families at risk. School districts may also adopt stronger protections beyond the baseline requirements to the extent permissible by law.

Students and community members can check whether their district complies by searching district websites for policies using terms like “response to immigration enforcement,” “nondiscrimination,” “student records,” or “immigration status.” If policies are missing or outdated, community members can advocate for stronger protections by making public comments at school board meetings or directly contacting school officials. Helpful advocacy resources include the ACLU SoCal’s model school board policy, the ACLU SoCal’s Sanctuary Schools Campaign toolkit, and the Free to Be, Free to Learn toolkit, all providing guidance on community organizing and school board advocacy.

Keeping Students Safe

  1. For Students

Students should learn their rights and how to enforce their rights to safely handle encounters with immigration agents or law enforcement, both in school and in their communities.

Here is how students can exercise their rights if stopped by law enforcement (including ICE):

  • DO ask if you are free to leave. If they say no, DO ask if you are under arrest.
  • If you are NOT under arrest, DO remain calm and leave.
  • DO exercise your right to remain silent. To exercise this right, you must verbally say, “I want to remain silent.”
  • DO ask to consult with an attorney. You can say, “I want to talk to an attorney.”
    • Note: If immigration officials take you into custody, they will not provide you with an attorney, but you have the right to consult with your own attorney.

When interacting with law enforcement (including ICE):

  • DO NOT lie or give false documents.
  • DO remember the details about the encounter, including officer names and badge numbers, if possible.
  • DO write down as much as you can remember. If you are able to and feel safe to do so, record the interaction.

For understanding and asserting your rights, students can use guidance from My School, My Rights: Immigration & Students and My School, My Rights: Police in Schools.

Students can also advocate for and organize a Know-Your-Rights (“KYR”) training at their school. By attending a KYR training and utilizing available resources, students can learn how to enforce their rights, reduce fear, and build stronger, safer communities.

  1. For Educators

Educators play a crucial role in protecting immigrant students and their families. Schools are required to adopt relevant policies and should establish clear protocols and train staff on best practices when interacting with immigration agents. These training sessions should cover, but are not limited to, how staff can enforce their rights if there is immigration presence on campus, how to respond to student data requests, and how to document interactions with immigration officials.

Here is how educators can prepare before a law enforcement encounter:

  • Review CA Attorney General’s Model Policies (December 2025) & ensure your school district’s policies implement California’s relevant laws and guidance
  • Train staff on recognizing valid warrants/subpoenas and proper responses
  • Identify/designate point of contact for law enforcement inquiries
  • Inform families about students’ rights to equal educational opportunity
  • Share Family Preparedness resources with students and their families ahead of time (Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit, safety plan templates)
  • Audit data collection; limit unnecessary personal data collection; and review directory information policies.

When responding to a law enforcement encounter:

  • Notify the designated administrator immediately
  • Notify the family of the student targeted
  • Ask for identification and written authority (warrnt/subpoena)
  • Determine if the written authority provided is valid. An administrative warrant is not valid. A judicial warrant is valid if signed by a judge
  • DO NOT consent to entry or release information without legal review
  • Report the incident immediately to the superintendent and BCJ ([email protected]) after the encounter

The best way to protect your students’ privacy is to avoid sharing or collecting personal information that is not necessary. Keep both paper files and online records secure and remember that many digital tools can track what students do. If your school uses online monitoring software, remind students not to discuss or store any information about immigration status in school emails, chats, or documents. Strong privacy habits help make every school safe, respectful, and welcoming for all students.

For more information, you can read the California Attorney General’s full guidance here.

  1. For Parents and Families

Families can take proactive steps to prepare for immigration-related emergencies, especially the risk of a parent or guardian being detained. The Family Preparedness Plan developed by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (“ILRC”) is a valuable resource, guiding families on arranging childcare, organizing important documents, and knowing how to assert rights during an encounter with law enforcement, including immigration officers. Having these conversations openly and calmly can reassure children about their care and safety.

It is also essential to keep school emergency contact information accurate and up to date. Schools rely on these contacts if a parent or guardian becomes unavailable, so parents should update them regularly with trusted adults who can step in if needed. Preparing in advance helps ensure children are supported no matter the circumstances.

Building Safe Schools Together

The rescission of the “Sensitive Locations” memo created fear for students, families, and educators. Through sanctuary policies, clear protocols, and community resources, schools and communities can fight to keep students safe, uphold rights, and maintain welcoming environments. Educators should be trained and equipped to protect student privacy and respond quickly and effectively to any immigration enforcement, while students and families should know their rights, access wellness support, and prepare for emergencies. Together, informed and united, communities can ensure that schools remain safe spaces where every student can learn and thrive without fear.

Mental Health and Wellness

Immigration enforcement not only threatens safety but can deeply impact students’ mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, and trauma. It’s just as important to care for emotional well-being as it is to know your rights. Students and families are also encouraged to seek support through resources like Immigrants Rising’s Undocu-Immigrant Mental Health Grounding & Self-Care toolkit and ACLU SoCal’s Student Mental Health Rights.

Footnotes

  1. “ICE detention of student was ‘unconstitutional racial profiling,’ family alleges,” Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2025, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-08-26/family-of-student-arrested-outside-arlete-high-allege-racial-profiling-trump-administration ↩︎
  2. Mixed-status families are households where members have different immigration or citizenship statuses, such as U.S. citizen children living with undocumented parents or relatives. ↩︎
  3. California Immigrant Data Portal, “Mixed-status Families,” https://immigrantdataca.org/indicators/mixed-status-families ↩︎
  4. Thomas S. Dee, “Recent Immigration Raids Increased Student Absences,” https://www.hoover.org/news/immigration-raids-central-california-increased-student-absences-months-study ↩︎
  5.  Los Angeles Times, “Federal officials arrived, denied entry at L.A. schools amid immigration enforcement fears,” April 9, 2025, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-09/federal-agents-arrived-denied-entry-at-los-angeles-schools-officials-say ↩︎
  6. California Legislative Information, “Assembly Bill No. 699,” https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB699 ↩︎
  7. ACLU SoCal, California Values Act (SB 54), https://www.aclusocal.org/en/know-your-rights/california-values-act-sb-54 ↩︎
  8. California Assembly Bill 49 (AB 49), 2025-2026 Regular Session, California Legislature. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB49 ↩︎