Immigrant Community Resources
While we are not aware of any of our school sites or non-profit partners being targets of any immigration raids, the Department of Homeland Security revoked a 2011 policy that restricted immigration agents from conducting raids on what they classified as sensitive areas, which include churches and schools.
We have already heard that the communities we serve have been impacted by ICE raids, leading to uncertainty and fear among our young people and staff. Out of an abundance of caution, we wanted to share additional information with all of you so that you understand your rights if ICE shows up at your school site.
The California Department of Justice has issued guidance to colleges and K12 schools on immigrant rights and on how to respond to immigration enforcement officers. An overview of these documents are provided in this press release from the CA DOJ. The documents are linked directly below.
- "What To Do If An Immigrant Enforcement Officer Comes to Your School? in English and Spanish.
- "Know Your Immigration Rights and Protection Under the Law" in English and Spanish.
Reminders of Your Rights While at School:
All students, including those who are undocumented or come from immigrant families, have the right to:
- attend public school
- participate in school activities
- receive a quality education without discrimination
By law, schools are not allowed to share a student's private information without the student/family's consent. This applies to items as simple as transcripts, and it would apply to a student's immigration status as well.
Schools are private property and, as such, non-staff and non-students do not have a legal right to enter and or be on our premises without the school’s permission. That includes parents, as well law enforcement, etc.
The only thing that would supersede the above is a court warrant signed by a judge (or, similarly, a subpoena). Just as the police (or immigration enforcement) cannot enter someone's house and arrest people and/or confiscate documents/items without a warrant, the same holds true for schools.
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- requesting social security numbers
- inquiring about the citizenship or immigration status of students, their parents, or guardians.
Red Cards / Tarjetas Rojas
We will be distributing red cards, also known as “Know Your Rights” cards, to help people assert their rights and defend themselves if they encounter federal immigration agents.
All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The ILRC’s Red Cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home.
Todas las personas en los Estados Unidos - sin importar su estatus migratorio - tienen derechos y protecciones bajo la constitución del país. Nuestras Tarjetas Rojas ayudan a los inmigrantes ejercer esos derechos y protegerse en muchas situaciones, como cuando agentes de inmigración visitan nuestras viviendas.
How to Use Red Cards/ Como Usar Las Tarjetas Rojas
Legal Advocacy Resources and Helplines
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ICE Out of California Hotline: If you or a loved one have been the victim of an ICE raid, have been directly transferred from jail to immigration detention, or are the victim of a TRUST Act violation, call toll-free:
1-844-TRUST-01 (1-844-878-7801) - Immigration Court Hotline: Call for hearing schedules w/ Immigration Court. You will need the person’s A-Number: 1-800-898-7180
- Los Angeles Rapid Response Network: Use this number to report ICE activity and enforcement actions and send help in the Los Angeles Area: 888-624-4752
- Free or Low-cost Legal Services
- Rapid Response Helplines by County
- Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA) Rapid Response Line: 888-624-4752
- National Immigration Legal Services Directory: https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles: Call (323) 801-7989 or visit https://lafla.org/
- Public Counsel - Immigrants' Rights Project: Call (213) 385-2977 ext. 296 or visit https://publiccounsel.org/
- New Voice: Call (562) 788-7655 or visit https://new-voice.org/
- Promesa Boyle Heights: Promesa Immigrant Rights Network: https://www.promesaboyleheights.org/promesa-immigrant-rights-network
- Immigration Center for Women & Children: Call (213) 614-1165 or visit https://www.icwclaw.org/
- Catholic Charities of Los Angeles - Immigration & Refugee Services (Los Angeles Office): (213) 251-3411 http://www.catholiccharitiesla.org
- Central American Resource Center (Los Angeles Office): Call (213) 385-7800 or visit http://carecen-la.org/
Know Your Rights Resources
- EdSource Know Your Rights
- ACLU of Southern California
- Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles
- National Immigration Law Center
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center Family Preparedness Plan
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center Red Cards
- Promesa Boyle Heights
Government Agencies Resources
- State of California Immigrants’ Rights and Resources
- County of Los Angeles Office of Immigrant Affairs
- City of Los Angeles Immigrants’ Rights and Resources
Download a List of Local Immigration Legal Services Providers