Develop and Implement Schoolwide Protocols
1. Develop a Crisis Response Plan
Create clear procedures for school staff to follow when a student or family is affected by deportation actions. Ensure protocols prioritize the safety and well-being of the student.
2. Assign a Point Person
Designate a staff member, such as a school counselor, administrator, and/or cultural liaison to coordinate support for affected students and serve as a facilitator for their families.
3. Coordinate with Community Resources
Partner with local organizations to provide legal assistance, housing support, and access to basic needs for families experiencing deportation-related disruptions.
Empower Families with Planning & Legal Resources
1. Inform Families About School Policies
Communicate proactively with families to build trust, provide reassurance, and offer clear guidance on the school’s role in protecting student rights and privacy.
- Outline how the school protects student information under FERPA and other applicable privacy laws
- Reassure families by sharing specific policies that establish schools as safe zones and prioritize student rights
2. Host Know-Your-Rights Workshops
Partner with local advocacy groups to empower families with knowledge about their legal rights and how to respond to ICE encounters.
| Legal Aid | Assistance with immigration paperwork, asylum cases, or deportation proceedings. |
| Counseling Services | Support for trauma related to deportation threats or family separation. |
| Community Resources | Referrals to housing, food security programs, or language-accessible services. |
Suggested Resources
- National Immigration Law Center (NILC) — Resources for schools and families navigating immigration concerns
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) — Guides for immigrant rights and advocacy
3. Provide Families with Emergency Planning Tools
Help families prepare for potential disruptions by offering practical resources and assistance.
- Provide guardianship forms, emergency contact templates, and checklists for family preparedness
- Ensure all materials are available in multiple languages, that plans are shared with school officials, and that all documents are protected under FERPA
- Offer hands-on support to families completing these documents so they are prepared in case of an emergency
Provide Emotional, Academic, and Trauma-Informed Support
1. Enhance Trauma-Informed Counseling Supports
Ensure counselors are trained to support students dealing with the stress and trauma of family separation or deportation threats.
2. Maintain Academic Continuity
Develop flexible academic plans to accommodate students facing emotional or logistical disruptions, such as missing school or relocating
3. Create Safe Spaces
Establish supportive spaces within schools where students can express their concerns and access resources without fear of judgment or stigma
Create an Inclusive & Supportive School Environment
Fostering Culturally Validating Learning Spaces
An inclusive and supportive school environment uplifts the humanity, dignity, and strengths of immigrant and English Learner (EL) students while fostering belonging, equity, and respectful relationships among students and staff. Creating spaces where immigrant and EL students feel their cultural and linguistic identities are recognized, respected, and celebrated is essential for promoting community and equity.
1. Honor Cultural and Linguistic Assets in Everyday Learning
- Embed students’ cultural backgrounds, histories, and languages into classroom instruction, curriculum design, and teaching practices
- Use instructional materials and examples that reflect and affirm the lived experiences of immigrant and EL students
2. Affirm Student Identities Through Culturally Validating Activities
- Design activities that connect students’ cultural and linguistic heritage to academic learning — such as oral history projects, multilingual writing assignments, or community-driven storytelling
- Celebrate cultural milestones and heritage in ways that connect to broader learning goals, ensuring these events are meaningful and inclusive for all students
3. Promote Student-Led Cultural Expression
- Support student-led initiatives that allow immigrant and EL students to share their cultural knowledge with peers — such as heritage clubs, language ambassador programs, or student panels
- Encourage multilingual presentations, performances, and artistic expressions as part of everyday school life, not just during designated cultural events
4. Collaborate with Families and Communities
- Partner with families and cultural leaders to co-create learning spaces that reflect community values and traditions
- Invite community members to contribute to classroom lessons or schoolwide events, ensuring authentic and meaningful representation
Advocate for Policies That Ensure Student Safety & Success
Supporting policies that address the unique needs of immigrant and EL students is essential for creating schools where all learners can thrive. Advocacy efforts can help foster safe, inclusive, and equitable environments that uphold student rights, empower educators, and build stronger school communities.
1. Advocate for Safe School Environments
- Establish Schools as Safe Zones — Support policies that designate schools as safe spaces, free from immigration enforcement activities, so all students can learn without fear
- Protect Student Privacy — Ensure adherence to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to prevent unauthorized sharing of student information with external agencies
2. Promote Equitable Access to Resources for Immigrant & EL Students
- Increase Funding for EL Programs — Advocate for enhanced funding to support EL students, addressing the historical underfunding that has limited educational opportunities
- Expand Support Services — Push for policies that provide comprehensive bilingual supports, counseling, and mental health resources to meet the diverse needs of immigrant and EL students
- Invest in Technology Access — Advocate for policies that provide EL students and their families access to digital tools and resources, bridging technology gaps that impact academic success
3. Protect Students' Rights
- Safeguard Against Discrimination — Advocate for policies that protect students from discrimination based on immigration status or language proficiency, promoting equity and inclusion
- Support Legal Protections — Work toward legislation that upholds the rights of immigrant and EL students and ensures equal access to educational opportunities
- Address Language Access Gaps — Advocate for policies requiring schools to offer translated materials, interpretation services, and multilingual family engagement strategies to protect and include EL students and their families
Published by the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership (MNEEP).