Public schools, by law, must serve all children. The education of undocumented students is guaranteed by the Plyler v. Doe decision. Educators must follow certain procedures to avoid violation of their civil rights.
In an atmosphere of political discourse that attacks immigration and threatens immigrant families, you have a critical role in protecting your students, supporting their families, and building a safe and welcoming environment for your whole school community.
Below are resources and tools for you by IDRA, federal agencies and others.
Good Things to Share
Infographic for school community and families: Welcoming Immigrant Students in School (bilingual)
Infographic for educators: 10 Strategies for How Schools Should Respond to Help Children Impacted by ICE Raids (bilingual)
Slidedeck/eBook: Guide for Supporting Immigrant Students in School
Podcast Episode: Immigrant Children’s Rights to Attend Public Schools – Podcast Episode 94
Serving and Supporting Immigrant Students: Information for Schools, provided by Colorín Colorado
Special Populations: English Language Learners: In your work with English learners, you may meet students who have unique needs based on their prior experiences. Colorín Colorado has compiled resources for working with special populations such as refugees, migrants, students with interrupted education, newcomer immigrants, unaccompanied children, and internationally adopted students.
Plyler v Doe at 40 – Schooling Guaranteed for Immigrant Children – See IDRA’s video interview launched on the 40th anniversary of Plyler v Doe featuring Dr. Albert Cortez, who testified in one of the cases in Texas. He sat down with IDRA chief legal analyst, Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., to discuss the history of the case, the plaintiffs, the arguments, and the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. This interview is also available as a Classnotes Podcast.
School Toolkit on Bullying Response & Prevention
The external rhetoric about immigration can lead to in-school bullying and harassment of immigrant and suspected-immigrant students. IDRA’s online toolkit provides guidance for addressing and preventing bullying in schools: IDRA’s Interrupting Bullying & Harassment in Schools – Online Technical Assistance Toolkit
News Articles and Interviews
Undocumented Students Have the Right to a Free Education. This Is Why, Education Week, November 2024
Schools take proactive steps to protect immigrant students, K-12 Dive, December 2024
Safe Zone: Schools offer help and refuge to students in the aftermath of ICE raids, NSBA, December 1, 2019
Equity Access and Excellence in Education for Immigrant Students, IDRA Newsletter, February 2008
Addressing “Ecological Shock” – Supporting Refugee Students in School, by Kristin Grayson, Ph.D., and Hannah Sung, IDRA Newsletter, March 2018
Key Federal Resources
U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter to Educators, School Leaders and Families: Resources for Ensuring Equal Access to Education for Immigrant Students, January 8, 2025
- Protecting Access to Education for Migratory Children
- Protecting Access to Education for Unaccompanied Children
- Confronting Discrimination Based on National Origin and Immigration Status
- Information on the Rights of All Children to Enroll in School: Questions and Answers for States, School Districts, and Parents
- Newcomer Toolkit, NCELA
U.S. Department of Education Question and Answer Document for states, school districts, and parents; also available in Spanish.
Resources About ICE Raids and School Guidance
Infographic for educators: 10 Strategies for How Schools Should Respond to Help Children Impacted by ICE Raids
Addressing Questions About Immigration Enforcement and Schools, Colorín Colorado (lots of resources here, including IDRA’s)
Factsheet: Trump’s Rescission of Protected Areas Policies Undermines Safety for All, National Immigration Law Center, 2025
ICE Raids Educators Guide, Immigrant and Refugee Children – A Guide for Educators and School Support Staff, by United We Dream’s Dream Educational Empowerment Program, the National Immigration Law Center, First Focus and the AFT
Immigration ICE raids: Resources for educators and advocates, AFT
Frequently Asked Questions for School Officials: What To Do If ICE Shows Up At Your School, 2021
What Families and Educators Need to Know About ICE Raids, UnidosUS, 2019
Safe Havens Toolkit: Resources to support undocumented students and families, CFT
National School Board Association, A Legal Guide to Serving Undocumented Students in Public Schools, 2017
Legal Issues for School Districts Related to the Education of Undocumented Children, National School Boards Association, 2009
Resources to help employers and families prepare
- This resource from the American Immigration Lawyers Association outlines the rights and responsibilities of employers during ICE worksite raids
- CLINIC Family Emergency Plan Resource webpage (available in Spanish)
- CLINIC Family Emergency Plan Worksheet (available in Spanish)
Superintendent describes how one of the largest ICE raids in the country affected his district. He spoke at IDRA’s Supporting Students in the Wake of Violence event. Dr. Tony McGee was then the superintendent of the Scott County School District, Forest, Mississippi, IDRA, 2019
Additional Federal Resources
Federal English Language Learner Resources – This website contains resources for English language learners. Federal laws prohibit denial of equal access to education because of a student’s limited proficiency in English. States and school districts must provide English learner students with language assistance services so that they can meaningfully participate in education programs. Additionally, states and school districts must ensure that they effectively communicate to limited English-proficient parents and caretakers the information that is provided to English-speaking parents.
Migrant Education Program (MEP) – This website provides an overview of MEP. MEP funds support high-quality education programs for migratory children and ensure migratory children who move between states are not penalized for disparities in curriculum, graduation requirements, academic achievement standards, or academic content.