Immigration support: DSST staff information and resources

While SDs and their leadership teams are tasked with the safety, security, and learning in their buildings, school staff play a critical supporting role when working with students and families impacted by shifting immigration policies. 

The guidance and resources shared here are meant to provide up-to-date information on what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents come to schools. We want to navigate the complexities of deportation policies with confidence and care. School Directors and Leadership Team Members received this information via a webinar and guidance deck last Friday, along with specific directions for communicating questions and concerns with our Home Office team. We will provide additional guidance for mitigating the potential harm to students, staff and families affected by any potential upcoming immigration reform legislation and executive orders as we learn more in January.

Our three strategies to align, engage and lead a coordinated response at DSST: 

1. Communicate: Strong communication and messaging from aligned leadership informed by our values 
2. Support: Utilizing our current existing structures to provide needed support (safe spaces, Morning Meetings, staff huddles, Cortex, etc) 
3. Prepare: Position our schools and organization to be as prepared as possible for inauguration week

Info from DPS:

ICE does not conduct operations in schools because they are designated as "sensitive locations." While there have been predictions that the incoming administration may revoke the “sensitive location” policy, there have been no formal announcements at this time. DPS will do everything we can to ensure safe and disruption-free learning environments by protecting our community from any unlawful federal overreach. Based upon current DPS Administrative Policy JIH (Student Interviews, Interrogations, Searches and Arrest), federal immigration law enforcement activities would not be permitted at our schools, on transportation routes, on DPS property, or during school activities.

Info from APS:

No information has been provided or released at this time. The current plan is to wait for the incoming administration to act before committing to any policies or practices.

DSST staff do’s and don'ts:

It remains DSST’s mission to provide a safe, supportive, and nondiscriminatory learning and working environment for all students, staff and families. As a charter and public education school system her are some Do’s and Don’ts we function under:

Know the law:

ICE agents cannot enter a school, unless they have a valid judicial warrant specifying individuals. The judicial warrant MUST meet the following conditions: 

1. Signed by a JUDGE (not an ICE Administrator); AND
2. Have specific names and details listed.

If the warrant does not meet the above requirements then it is our responsibility to stand up for our rights and inform the agents that you have reason to believe that their warrant is not a valid judicial warrant and you will need to contact our attorneys to review and provide legal advice before we have any individuals talk to them.

What can you & your admin do?

• Staff cannot obstruct ICE with a valid judicial warrant, but can limit access and movement within the school
  • Admin will designate a room and/or space where ICE agents will be directed while reviewing their warrant and credentials
• Staff may not release any additional information about any individual listed in the warrant (including addresses and/or contact information).
  • Admin will avoid releasing any student without clear legal authority (per DSST and DPS policy)
• Staff can document and/or record any interactions they have with ICE (if safe to do so)
  • Admin will document all interactions that occur and share with HO and our attorneys to preserve any rights and keep record of the event(s)
• A quick summary video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/590619480286438 

What can families, staff or students do if approached by ICE Agents?

• They have the right to remain silent
• They have the right to demand review of the warrant before letting anyone in their home or workplace
• They have the right to speak to a lawyer 
• The right to make a phone call
• They have the right to refuse to sign anything before they talk to a lawyer
• They have the right to refuse to show any documentation before speaking with a lawyer

Resources on guidance, policy, procedures and supports