Policy & Advocacy Resource Guide
Recommended Demands for Local Governments & School Districts
- Executive Actions or Resolutions to prohibit federal agents from operating or staging operations on public property, especially on public school grounds.
- Set up a local communications command center empowered to:
- Receive reports from schools (and ensures schools know how to send reports)
- Monitor:
- Incidents near schools
- Impacts on attendance
- Best practices for supporting kids/families in the middle of the crisis
- Issue daily briefings
- Uniform training for staff & principals
- Video training that goes to ALL staff OR
- Uniform training that EVERY principal MUST have for ALL staff
Recommended Local Resolution
Resolution Affirming the Rights of Immigrant Students and Families and Establishing Protocols for Interactions with Federal Immigration Enforcement
[District/Board Name]
[City/County, North Carolina]
[Date]
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Constitution, Article I, Section 15, guarantees the right of all children to the privileges of education, and Article IX, Section 2 requires the General Assembly to maintain a system of free public schools; and
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of North Carolina has held that every child in the state is constitutionally entitled to a sound, basic education, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, or national origin (Leandro v. State of North Carolina, 1997; Hoke County Board of Education v. State, 2004); and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Plyler v. Doe (1982) prohibits states from denying a free public education to any child based on immigration status and affirms that such denial would violate the Equal Protection Clause; and
WHEREAS, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit discrimination in public schools on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin, and explicitly protect the rights of immigrant and multilingual students to attend school free from discrimination; and
WHEREAS, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the confidentiality of student education records and prohibits disclosure of personally identifiable information without proper legal authority; and
WHEREAS, students, staff, and families in the [District/County] represent diverse cultures, languages, immigration experiences, and national origins, which strengthen our community and enrich the educational experience for all; and
WHEREAS, heightened federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activity has caused fear, anxiety, and trauma among immigrant families in North Carolina, threatening student attendance, learning, and well-being; and
WHEREAS, schools must remain safe, inclusive, and supportive environments where every student—regardless of immigration status—can learn without fear of harassment, discrimination, or intimidation; and
WHEREAS, other school systems across the nation, have adopted resolutions affirming the rights of undocumented and mixed-status families and establishing clear protocols for interactions with immigration authorities; and
WHEREAS, [District/Board Name] seeks to adopt similarly clear and legally grounded protections for students, families, and staff.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE [DISTRICT/BOARD NAME]:
1. Protects Students’ Legal Right to Attend School Safely and Without Fear
1.1. The Board reaffirms that every child residing in this district is entitled to enroll in and attend public school regardless of their or their family’s immigration status.
1.2. The district shall not inquire into, record, or use information regarding a student or family’s immigration status for any purpose related to enrollment, access to services, or discipline.
1.3. No student shall be excluded, discouraged from enrolling, or disadvantaged due to immigration status, national origin, language, or perceived citizenship.
2. Protects Student Information and Privacy
2.1. The district shall comply fully with FERPA and state privacy laws.
2.2. The district shall not disclose student education records, including personally identifiable information, absent:
- a judicial warrant signed by a federal or state judge; or
- a valid subpoena reviewed in consultation with district legal counsel.
2.3. Administrative warrants, immigration detainers, or requests signed by ICE/CBP personnel do not authorize access to student records.
3. Establishes Clear Protocols for Interactions with ICE/CBP
3.1. Immigration enforcement agents shall not be granted access to nonpublic areas of school property, district offices, or school personnel unless they present a valid judicial warrant.
3.2. All ICE/CBP agents shall be directed immediately to the Superintendent or their designee.
3.3. District administrators shall request and document:
- the agent’s identity and credentials;
- the purpose of the visit;
- a copy of any warrant or court order.
3.4. The district shall not assist ICE/CBP in civil immigration enforcement actions, including by providing access to schools, personnel, surveillance systems, or information not required by law.
3.5. Staff shall not participate in or facilitate immigration enforcement activities while acting within the scope of their employment.
4. Ensures Student Safety and Release Procedures
4.1. In the event a parent or guardian is detained or deported, the district shall rely solely on the student’s emergency contact information to determine authorized release.
4.2. Families may update emergency contacts at any time without penalty.
4.3. The district shall not contact child protective services unless all other emergency contacts have been exhausted.
5. Supports Student Well-Being and Trauma-Informed Care
5.1. The district will train faculty and staff in trauma-informed practices and culturally responsive care.
5.2. The district will ensure counselors, social workers, and school mental health staff are prepared to support students experiencing fear, grief, or family separation.
5.3. The district will proactively share mental-health and community resources with families.
6. Commits to Inclusive, Respectful School Environments
6.1. The district prohibits discrimination, harassment, or bullying based on immigration status, national origin, ethnicity, religion, or association with an immigrant community.
6.2. Reporting mechanisms shall be accessible, confidential, multilingual, and responsive.
6.3. Curriculum and school programming shall affirm and reflect the diverse lived experiences of immigrant and multilingual students.
7. Ensures Transparent Communication with Families
7.1. The district shall share this resolution, related policies, and Know Your Rights materials in the languages spoken by families in the district.
7.2. A district webpage will post relevant resources, updates, and procedures.
7.3. A designated staff liaison will serve as a point of contact for immigrant and multilingual families.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that the Superintendent shall update district policies, administrative procedures, and staff training protocols to ensure full implementation of this resolution and compliance with state and federal law.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED
that [District/Board Name] reaffirms its unwavering commitment to ensure that every student—regardless of immigration status—can attend school safely, access a sound, basic education, and feel protected, welcomed, and valued in every school community.
Sample state & local ordinances or executive orders to prohibit federal activity
School board-level policies
These sample Board of Education resolutions offer clear, legally grounded, and values-driven models for North Carolina school districts seeking to protect students and families during heightened Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activity. Each resolution affirms students’ constitutional right to a public education under Plyler v. Doe and outlines practical, district-level protocols for limiting disclosure of sensitive information, restricting voluntary cooperation with immigration enforcement, and safeguarding school campuses as safe, inclusive learning environments. The Toledo Public Schools’ resolution demonstrates comprehensive protective measures such as prohibiting inquiries about immigration status, denying ICE access without proper review, and refusing voluntary information sharing, providing a detailed blueprint for districts building their own policies . Portland Public Schools’ resolution highlights clear processes for staff training, directing all ICE requests to district leadership, and ensuring multilingual communication to families . The Los Angeles Unified and Chicago Public Schools resolutions reaffirm school districts’ commitments to sanctuary policies, civil rights protections, and strong implementation plans, including staff training, multi-language outreach, and refusal to assist with civil immigration enforcement absent a criminal warrant . Taken together, these resolutions serve as evidence-based, actionable templates that North Carolina districts can responsibly adapt to uphold student safety, maintain trust with immigrant communities, and ensure uninterrupted access to public schooling during periods of enforcement-related fear and disruption.
- Chicago Public Schools/Chicago Board of Education
- Portland Public School District
- Los Angeles Unified School District/Los Angeles Board of Education
- Toledo Public Schools
- San Diego Unified
Local Executive Orders
These municipal policies offer strong, practical, and legally grounded models for how North Carolina cities and counties can protect residents during heightened Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activity. Chicago’s Executive Order No. 2025-8 demonstrates how a municipality can use its authority to prohibit federal immigration agencies from using city-owned properties as staging or processing sites, while also supporting private property owners with standardized signage and “Know Your Rights” materials . Alameda County’s resolution provides a comprehensive framework for restricting the use of county-controlled land for civil immigration enforcement, establishing clear reporting protocols, signage requirements, cross-department implementation steps, and community education resources . Portland’s Sanctuary City ordinance shows how a city can codify protections into law, ensuring that local employees are trained, communities are supported, and municipal resources are not used to facilitate civil immigration enforcement except as required by law . Together, these policies illustrate the range of tools available to local governments (signage, property-use restrictions, reporting requirements, staff training, and partnership with community organizations) and serve as adaptable templates for North Carolina municipalities committed to safeguarding trust, safety, and access to public services during federal enforcement actions.
- Chicago
- Portland
- Alameda County
State-level orders
These state-issued guidance documents provide some of the strongest, clearest, and most actionable models that North Carolina officials can adopt or reaffirm to ensure safe, lawful, and welcoming schools during periods of heightened ICE and CBP activity. Rhode Island’s guidance offers detailed explanations of judicial versus administrative warrants, strict protections for student information, and clear procedures for controlling access to nonpublic school areas . Connecticut’s statewide guidance reinforces districts’ responsibility to restrict school access, designate trained points of contact, document encounters with immigration agents, and provide multilingual resources and mental-health supports for families experiencing fear or trauma . Illinois’ guidance adds step-by-step procedures for responding to federal warrants, subpoenas, and records requests, while reaffirming that students cannot be asked about their immigration status and must never be discouraged from enrolling in school . Notably, California’s Attorney General–issued model policies go even further: they are legally mandated statewide under AB 699, constitutionally grounded in California’s guarantee that all students have the inalienable right to attend safe, secure, and peaceful campuses, and include comprehensive, ready-to-adopt procedures for handling enforcement actions, protecting student data, responding when a student’s family member is detained, and addressing hate-based bullying or harassment . California also provides a quick-reference guide for administrators and requires districts to notify families annually of their educational rights and protections, with translations provided where needed. Taken together, these state-level resources represent examples of how to create coherent, legally compliant, and student-centered policies, making them highly relevant templates for North Carolina officials seeking to protect students and uphold community trust amid federal immigration enforcement.
- California Attorney General Guidance
- Illinois State Board of Education
- Connecticut State Department of Education
- Rhode Island Attorney General/Department of Education
Sample District Training Resources
Sample school district resource pages
These district webpages from Los Angeles Unified, Oakland Unified, and Chicago Public Schools provide high-quality, field-tested examples of how large school systems are proactively supporting immigrant students and families during periods of intensified ICE and CBP activity. Each page demonstrates a clear commitment to student safety, legal rights education, and accessible communication, offering multilingual resources, know-your-rights guidance, district protocols for responding to immigration enforcement, staff training materials, and links to trusted legal and community partners. LAUSD’s “We Are One” hub models how a district can centralize rights information and crisis-response procedures; OUSD’s Sanctuary District page illustrates how to communicate districtwide protections, policies, and commitments in clear, community-affirming language; and CPS’s immigration resource center shows how to pair legal guidance with mental health supports, communication templates, and up-to-date policy explanations. In particular, San Diego Unified School District’s dedicated ‘Protecting Students & Staff’ website combines multilingual legal-rights toolkits with clear nondiscrimination protocols and a reporting hotline, demonstrating how a district website can serve as both an instructional and operational resource for immigrant students, families and staff. Together, these webpages serve as strong, adaptable models for North Carolina districts seeking to reassure families, protect students, and maintain safe learning environments in the face of federal enforcement actions.
- Chicago Public Schools
- Oakland Unified
- Los Angeles Unified School District
- San Diego Unified School District
Sample school district videos
These district video messages offer strong, accessible models for how North Carolina school districts can communicate clearly, compassionately, and legally about student safety during heightened ICE and CBP activity. Across Los Angeles Unified, U-46, and Chicago Public Schools, the videos demonstrate best practices in speaking directly to families about their rights, the district’s legal obligations, and the concrete protections schools provide—such as not inquiring about immigration status, not sharing information with federal immigration authorities, and requiring a criminal warrant before any enforcement officer can access a campus. They also highlight the importance of sharing mental-health supports, multilingual resources, dedicated hotlines, and clear points of contact for families experiencing fear or confusion. These videos model the tone districts should strive for: calm, rights-affirming, rooted in federal law, and explicitly welcoming to all students regardless of immigration status. Together, they serve as effective templates for North Carolina districts looking to build trust, reduce fear, and ensure families understand that schools remain safe and supportive spaces for every child.
- Los Angeles Unified School District
- School District U-46
- Chicago Public Schools (scroll down to video)
