Golden State Today

In response to concerns over immigration law enforcement in schools, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has released information aimed at helping students, families, educators, and school officials maintain a safe school environment. The resources include guidance for school officials on handling visits from immigration officers, model policies for K–12 public schools to comply with state laws, and information on educational rights and legal protections for immigrant students and their families. These resources are available in multiple languages at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources.

"All children have the constitutional right to access public education, regardless of their immigration status," stated Attorney General Bonta. "Schools should be a safe place for children to learn and grow. Unfortunately, recent presidential orders have caused fear and uncertainty in our immigrant communities. My office is committed to ensuring that our educators have the necessary information to respond appropriately if immigration officers come to their school site and that immigrant students and their families understand their rights and protections under the law. I urge school sites to keep my office informed of any immigration enforcement measures carried out on their premises by emailing immigration@doj.ca.gov. We will continue monitoring this issue closely and will not hesitate to act if we believe this law enforcement abuses federal authority."

The guidance provided includes steps for school officials when an immigration officer appears at a school:

- Notify the designated administrator of the local educational agency about the request.

- Ask for credentials (name, badge number) of the officer and supervisor's contact.

- Request documentation authorizing entry into the school.

- Respond according to official documentation requirements unless urgent circumstances are declared.

- Do not physically obstruct an officer even without authorization; document actions instead.

- Inform parents or guardians promptly unless prohibited by court order.

- Provide notes and documents collected from the officer to legal counsel or designated administrators.

- Report attempts by immigration officers entering or contacting students for law enforcement purposes by emailing immigration@doj.ca.gov.

The complete document titled “Quick Reference Guide for School Officials” is available in English and Spanish.

Immigrant students' rights include:

- Right to free public education: All children have equal access regardless of their or their parents' or guardians' immigration status under the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

- Required information for enrollment: Schools must accept various documents proving age or residency without retaining copies as proof of age.

- Confidentiality of personal information: Federal and state laws protect educational records requiring written consent before disclosure unless it's for educational purposes or court orders/subpoenas.

- Right to file complaints: Students can report hate crimes or file complaints if discriminated against due to nationality, ethnicity, or perceived/actual immigration status.

The complete guide for students and families is available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.