ICE in Our Schools

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Here’s a clear, lawful, step-by-step protocol you can print and train on in New York.

It’s written for K-5 front desks, principals, and school safety. (NYC-specific notes are flagged.) Step-by-Step Protocol if ICE Shows Up at School

Or download this PDF 1-Pager

JFK on ICE_Protocol_OnePager.pdf

Download PDF • 4KB

0) Ground rules (everyone memorizes)

• Do not let non-local law enforcement (incl. ICE/CBP/DHS) past the main office without a judicial warrant reviewed by counsel. NYC DOE policy explicitly bars entry except when required by law. web+1

• Do not share any student or family info (addresses, schedules, emergency contacts) without parental consent or a court order consistent with FERPA. New York State Education DepartmentNew York State Attorney GeneralProtecting Student Privacy

1) Front desk: hold the line (scripted)

Say only: “Please wait here. Our principal/legal office will assist you. May I see your credentials and a judicial warrant signed by a judge?”

• Photocopy or photograph IDs and documents. Do not authenticate or interpret—just copy.

• Call the chain immediately: Principal → District/DOE Legal.

  • NYC DOE: call your Senior Field Counsel right away (standing protocol). web

• Keep agents in the office; do not escort to classrooms. web

2) Principal/designated admin: verify paperwork (no legal debate at the desk)

• Ask for: a judicial warrant (signed by a judge), specific person/records, scope, and areas. Administrative ICE forms (e.g., I-200/I-205) are not enough to enter non-public areas or obtain records. Route all review to counsel. New York State Education Department

• Call legal (district counsel / NYC DOE SFC). Do not decide on the spot. web

3) Two paths

A) No warrant / only administrative ICE paper

1. State politely: “Without a judicial warrant, we cannot grant access to students, staff, non-public areas, or records.”

2. Decline any questions about students/families; refer all inquiries to counsel.

3. Document the encounter (time, names, badge #s, what was requested). webNew York State Education Department

B) Judicial warrant presentedSend warrant to legal (photo/email). Wait for instructions.

1. Follow counsel’s guidance on scope, location, and handling; keep agents to designated areas; escort at all times.

2. FERPA check: even with a warrant, release only what the order compels; nothing more. New York State Education Department

4) Student safety & operations (quiet containment)

• No building-wide alerts that cause panic. Keep classes running.

• If agents ask for a child: do not remove a student from class until counsel confirms legal basis and a guardian is notified per policy. New York State Education Department

• Keep non-public doors locked; use your single-point entry. (Standard school security practice aligned with NYC DOE “non-local law enforcement” protocol.) web

5) Communications (tight and factual)

• Internal: Notify superintendent, district comms, and (in NYC) the Chancellor’s/DOE contacts as your network dictates. web

• Families: After the incident, send a calm note reaffirming:

  • The school does not track immigration status;

  • It does not release records absent legal requirement;

  • Students’ right to attend school is protected. (Plyler/State guidance). New York State Education DepartmentNational Education Association

6) Legal & community support (same day)

• Connect affected families (confidentially) to free legal help:

  • NYC MOIA / ActionNYC hotline: 1-800-354-0365 (or 311 → “Immigration Legal”). ShareThisFacebook

  • MOIA general line: 212-788-7654 (business hours). NYC Government

• NYC DOE provides multilingual protocols/immigrant family resources; share those links in follow-ups. web+1

7) Documentation & after-action

• Log who, what, when, requested documents, and legal instructions received.

• Keep copies in a restricted file (admin-only).

• Conduct a 24–48 hr debrief: what worked, what to tighten, staff retraining needed? (NYC has reaffirmed “welcoming district” policy—use it as training backbone.) web

8) Training & prevention (do this now)

• Annual staff training (front desk first): practice the script; recognize judicial vs. administrative documents; escalation tree. web

• Purge unnecessary data: don’t collect immigration status; lock down directory-info releases; reissue FERPA notices and offer opt-out for directory info per state guidance/NYCLU model policy. New York State Education DepartmentNYCLU

• Post signage at the office: “All non-local law enforcement must report to the principal. Warrants will be reviewed by legal before any access.” web

• Know-Your-Rights nights with trusted legal partners; distribute multilingual DOE/State materials. webNew York State Education Department

Front-Desk Cue Card (print)

• “Please wait here.”

• “Our principal/legal office will assist you.”

• “May I see a judicial warrant signed by a judge?”

• (Make copies → call principal → call legal.)

• Do not answer questions about students/families.

• Keep agents in the office until legal responds. webNew York State Education Department

Notes by jurisdiction

• NYC public schools: Follow DOE “Protocols for Non-Local Law Enforcement.” Use your Senior Field Counsel; share DOE immigrant-family resources (multi-language). web

• Outside NYC (rest of NYS): Follow NYSED/NY AG joint guidance on FERPA, data collection limits, and responding to immigration inquiries; loop in district counsel immediately. New York State Education Department+1

JFK on ICE_Protocol_OnePager.pdf

Download PDF • 4KB

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