Know Your Rights: Immigrant Students and Schools

Knowing your rights is crucial for students and families to protect themselves.  This resource outlines proactive steps that families can take to protect themselves before a raid occurs. Key actions include identifying local legal support, preparing a “Know Your Rights” card, and creating a family emergency plan. It also provides critical questions families should address, such as who will care for children. 

Additionally, the resource emphasizes the importance of schools and educators in supporting students and families during these challenging times. It offers guidance for example for school staff to inform students and families about their rights. By preparing in advance and knowing your rights, families and communities can take steps to ensure their safety, well-being, and continued support in the event of a potential  immigration raid. 

Before a raid, families should:

• Identify a local nonprofit organization that can help you. Find out who in your community provides free legal support services (e.g., immigration advocates, legal aid organizations, churches or worker centers).
• Identify an attorney. Find out the name and phone number of a reliable immigration attorney ahead of time and keep this information with you at all times.
• Obtain a “know your rights” card. These cards state that you would like to exercise your right to remain silent and that you would like to speak to an attorney. The name and phone number of your attorney should be listed on the card.
• Advise family members who do not want to be questioned by ICE to stay away, if a raid occurs, from the place of the raid and where the detainees are held.
• Start saving money. You’ll need money to hire an attorney and for toiletries and food during detention. It’s best to start saving now.
• Create a family immigration raid emergency plan. To find out how to make your plan, see the “Immigrant Youth Guide for Educators and Support Staff” at www.aft.org/immigration.

For the complete toolkit and to download a printable “Know Your Rights” card, please refer to the PDF below.