How Educators Can Support Immigrant Students and Families This School Year

As students head back to school, many educators are preparing not only for a new academic year but also for the possibility of increased immigration enforcement in their communities. New York University Researcher Sophia Rodriguez collaborated with NILC to publish a report documenting how educators across 14 states have observed and responded to the impact of immigration enforcement on their students. The report reveals students to be regularly experiencing anxiety about family separation, difficulty concentrating in class, and fear surrounding everyday activities like riding the school bus or walking home. In response, schools have developed practical strategies to help students and their families feel safe and supported.

While we continue to encourage states and localities to support immigrant students by passing school board resolutions and state bills affirming the rights of all students to attend and participate in school activities, and to promote safe and welcoming school environment, we understand that these options may not be achievable in all places. The report offers several additional actions that educators and school staff can take to support students in immigrant families.

Prepare before a crisis happens

Many educators emphasized the importance of preparation rather than reaction. Having plans in place before an emergency can reduce confusion and help schools respond consistently. Some of the proactive practical measures that schools have taken to ensure their students’ safety include:

• Establishing crisis communication teams.
• Conducting perimeter checks before dismissal when there are concerns about immigration enforcement nearby.
• Organizing secure lines of student transit to family vehicles by having a point person walk the student to and from the school and their family vehicle.
• Considering virtual learning options during periods of heightened immigration enforcement.

Equip yourself with accurate information

Families naturally turn to school staff with questions about how rapidly changing immigration policy will affect them. Educators can be prepared to respond by becoming familiar with basic legal rights and knowing where to find reliable information to share with their students. They can anticipate questions about the immigration landscape and help families navigate resources where they might find answers. Some schools have created resource binders with trusted information that staff can quickly share with families to help families navigate uncertainties. Materials in these resource binders can include:

• Know Your Rights materials
• Family preparedness resources
• Power of Attorney materials (to help families prepare for the detention or deportation of a parent or caregiver)
• Information about local organizations serving immigrant families

Educators certainly do not need to become experts in immigration law but knowing where to find reliable information and where to refer families for legal assistance can make a meaningful difference.

Help connect families with resources

One of the most valuable roles educators can play is helping connect families with trusted community resources. Schools can build relationships with local legal service organizations and maintain referral lists of trusted attorneys and community organizations. Some schools also have partnered with legal service organizations to host Know Your Rights workshops and Power of Attorney clinics in the evenings and on weekends. Schools also have identified trusted attorneys that community members can turn to for advice. Building relationships with trusted legal organizations and attorneys before families need them can help ensure that parents receive timely and accurate information.

Support families beyond the classroom

Immigration enforcement often creates challenges that extend beyond legal concerns. Families may need food, clothing, transportation, or other forms of support. Schools can serve as community hubs by organizing food banks, creating clothing closets, and other assistance that help families meet their basic needs during times of uncertainty. Connecting families with social service providers can also help ensure that students have the support they need to stay engaged in school.

Support students standing in solidarity

Schools can also create space for students to express support for immigrant classmates through peaceful civic engagement. Some educators describe supporting student-led efforts that demonstrated solidarity with immigrant communities such as nonviolent walkouts. Creating opportunities for respectful dialogue and civic engagement can help strengthen school communities and reinforce that all students belong.

Build trust, foster belonging, and respond with compassion

Educators repeatedly emphasized that emotional support matters. Many immigrant students arrive at school carrying significant stress and uncertainty. Students experiencing immigration-related fear may not always need immediate solutions. Sometimes the biggest help can be an adult who will listen, acknowledge their experiences, and help them feel safe at school. Schools can provide safe spaces to talk about immigration and other issues. Schools can cultivate belonging and inclusion in small ways, such as posting signs in a variety of languages to make students from all backgrounds feel welcome.

Educators can also support students by recognizing the emotional impacts of immigration enforcement, responding with trauma-informed practices, checking in regularly, and connecting students and families with mental health resources when appropriate.

While educators cannot solve the challenges created by immigration enforcement, they can make a meaningful difference in how students and families experience them. Preparing ahead, building trusted relationships, and connecting families with resources can help schools remain anchors of stability and support during uncertain times.

You can access the full report, “The Impact of Immigration Enforcement and Anti-Immigrant Policies on K-12 Schools, Educators, and Immigrant Youth and Families,” here.