Education Policy

How Educators Can Support Immigrant Students

School principal - immigration web pagePublic 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

Welcoming-Immigrant-Students-IDRA-Infographic-2019-Letter-English-4in72Infographic 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.


Interrupting Bullying and Harassment toolkit graphicSchool 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

‘It is an empty threat’ | Organization, local schools react to Gov. Abbott’s remarks on challenging Plyler v. Doe, 2022

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

U.S. Department of Education Question and Answer Document for states, school districts, and parents; also available in Spanish.


Link to infograrphic ICE RaidsResources 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


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.

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