Communication Templates: Immigration Concerns

Type: Guidance/Sample/Template
Topics: Communications & Public Relations, Community & Family Engagement, Immigration

January 22, 2025

Communication templates for school leaders regarding potential immigration enforcement.

As the Trump administration took office on January 20, 2025, the president issued a number of executive orders on various matters of national significance, including immigration.

Among the actions was a reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees birthright citizenship to any individual born in the United States—regardless of the citizenship status of their parents. A new memo from the Trump Administration rescinds a 2021 memo by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that designated schools, as well as other community services as “protected areas.” This 2021 rule stated that, to the extent possible, ICE agents should not carry out any enforcement activities in these locations.

More broadly, the new administration has called for ramping up immigration enforcement nationwide. This has led to concerns of increasing efforts to deport undocumented individuals, including children attending public schools and their family members.

As these issues come into greater focus, it may become necessary for educational leaders to communicate with their staff, students, and community members. This may include communicating about protocols, legal rights, and the concerns being felt by students and families, as well as the more general need to remain kind and respectful to one another during this time.

The following templates, created in partnership with the Donovan Group, are provided to help schools and districts communicate about these issues with their staff, families, and communities:

General Message Regarding Immigration

Dear Families and Staff,

During the most recent election and in the weeks that have followed, the subject of immigration has been widely discussed in our community and across the country. As the new administration takes office, there have been a series of executive orders related to immigration, as well as calls for increased immigration enforcement nationwide.

It is important to understand that, by law, a child's immigration status (or that of their parents) does not affect their right to receive a public education. As always, we are focused on providing a safe and welcoming learning environment where every student can thrive.

We recognize the questions around immigration may raise serious concerns within our community. We are here to assist students and families in any way we can, and we encourage you to reach out to your child’s school office at any time. Our school counselors are ready to help, whether through direct support or by connecting you with resources available in our community.

Thank you for your support as we navigate this challenging time as an educational community.

Sincerely,

[Name]
[Title]

Message on Offensive Comments

Dear Families and Staff,

I am writing to address an issue we have seen arise in recent days in [School or District Name]. There have been a number of reported incidents in which students have used offensive language directed at their peers.

It appears these comments are related to discussions happening at the national level regarding immigration and the possibility of increased efforts to deport undocumented individuals living in the United States.

We know this issue sparks a lot of emotion and debate in our community, just like it does in communities across the country. However, we ask that we all remain respectful of one another and treat each other with kindness and grace.

As always, we will not tolerate hate, discrimination, or harassment in our schools. Anyone found to have engaged in these behaviors will face disciplinary action, per school district policy.

Let’s continue to treat each other with the respect and dignity we all deserve. Thank you for your support of our schools and the students we serve.

Sincerely,

[Name]
[Title]

Message After Deportation Incident

Dear Families & Staff,

I am writing to provide an update on a situation that has affected a number of our students, families, and community members in [School or District Name].

Recently, officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been in our community in an effort to seek deportation for undocumented individuals. This has been an extremely difficult situation for both those directly affected and many others throughout our community.

During this time of uncertainty, we want our families to know that we are here for you. If you need any support, please reach out to your child's school office. Our school counselors can provide direct support and/or connect you with resources available in our community.

By law, we must provide the best possible education to all students who attend our schools, while also ensuring they have access to a safe and positive learning environment. We will continue to uphold this important mission as we move forward.

We ask that we all remain kind and respectful in our interactions with others. Let's continue to support one another as we navigate this challenging time.

Sincerely,

[Name]
[Title]

Immigration Enforcement: Message to Staff

Dear Staff,

As you may be aware, the new presidential administration has released a memo that rescinds a 2021 memo by the Department of Homeland Security that designated schools as areas protected from immigration enforcement actions. While the memo directs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to use “common sense,” it is possible that enforcement actions could take place at schools and other formerly protected spaces.

With this in mind, we want to share some important information regarding this matter, the rights and protections afforded students, and the proper protocols if ICE officials visit our school or district.

First, it is important to note that the protects the privacy of student education records and restricts the sharing of personally identifiable information without parental consent. This includes data that could reveal a student’s immigration status. The federal law also supersedes any state-level policy that seeks to mandate the release of student data.

Schools also are not allowed to share student records with immigration or law enforcement agencies without consent or a judicial order.

Additionally, ICE officials must have a judicial warrant to enter school property. If a judicial warrant is presented, parental consent is required before ICE officials can interview any student.

If ICE officials visit one of our schools, we ask that staff take the following actions:

  1. Welcome the agent(s).
  2. Ask them to provide identification.
  3. Make a copy of their ID
  4. Inform the building principal AND District Office administration.
  5. Ask the agent(s) if they have any paperwork (i.e., subpoena, warrant, etc.). Ask to make copies of the paperwork for the Board of Education’s attorney to review.
  6. Ask the agent(s) to sit in the office while the principal or administrator arrives. Alternatively, you can ask them to sit in a more private area (such as the principal’s conference room).
  7. Keep notes of the date/time, names and titles of the agents, who you contacted at the District Office, the name of the student or staff member they are inquiring about (if known), etc.

    Please also note that students have the right against self-incrimination and do not need to provide any information that would establish their residency status. If ICE officials ask to interview a student, we must notify the parents before any such interview takes place.

    We know that this is a difficult and uncertain time for our students, families, staff, and community. If you have any questions regarding these protocols, please speak with your building principal right away.

    Thank you for your attention to this important communication, and for supporting our students during this time.

    Sincerely,

    [Name]
    [Title]

Immigration Enforcement: Message to Affected Families

Dear Families & Staff,

Dear Families,

As you may be aware, the new presidential administration has released a memo that rescinds a 2021 memo by the Department of Homeland Security that designated schools as areas protected from immigration enforcement actions.

We understand that this may be concerning for some of our students and families. We wanted to take a moment to share some important information regarding this matter and the rights and protections afforded students when on school grounds.

It is important to note that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act protects the privacy of student education records and restricts the sharing of personally identifiable information without parental consent. This includes data that could reveal a student’s immigration status. The federal law also supersedes any state-level policy that seeks to mandate the release of student data.

Additionally, schools are not allowed to share student records with immigration or law enforcement agencies without consent or a judicial order.

We also want to share that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials must have a judicial warrant to enter school property. If a warrant is presented, parental consent is required before ICE officials are able to interview any student.

The [School or District Name] is updating our teachers and staff on their responsibilities and the proper protocols to follow if ICE officials visit one of our schools in the future. As always, the safety and wellbeing of our students is our number one priority.

During this time of uncertainty, we want our families to know that we are here for you. If you need any support, please reach out to your child's school office. Our school counselors can provide direct support and/or connect you with resources available in our community.

Thank you for your attention to this important communication.

Sincerely,

[Name]
[Title]

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