Because it is our duty and responsibility to provide each child in our District with a high quality public education in a safe and nurturing environment, we have given these directions to the staff at our schools:
- Our staff will not request information or make a record of information on the immigration status of a student or family member. Furthermore, students and families will not be required to provide a social security number for school forms.
- If the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency asks for access to a school or for access to student information, they will be politely denied and referred directly to the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services who will refer the matter to the District’s legal counsel.
- Anyone in our schools seeking answers to questions about immigration will be referred to local non-profit immigration law organizations, such as the East Bay Community Law Center and the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant or other recommended resources available below.
Local Resources
City of Berkeley Guide to Local Resources and Support
Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI) /Información Sobre El Proyecto De Asistencia Para Inmigrantes Afectados Por La Pandemia Del COVID-19 (DRAI)
The Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI) project is a one-time state-funded disaster relief assistance for undocumented adult immigrants impacted by COVID-19. An undocumented adult who qualifies can receive $500 in direct assistance, with a maximum of $1000 in assistance per household.
El proyecto DRAI (Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants) es un programa financiado por el estado el cual proporciona asistencia económica (a través de un pago único) a los inmigrantes indocumentados que han sido afectados por COVID-19. Los adultos indocumentados que califican pueden recibir $500 en asistencia directa, con un límite de $1000 por hogar.
East Bay Community Law Center
2921 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703
510-548-4040
Provides free legal services to low-income immigrants on a wide range of immigration issues with a focus on the most vulnerable populations—people with disabilities and chronic illness, members of the LGBTQ community, youth, and existing EBCLC clients struggling with other legal issues.
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
2362 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
510-540-5296
Offers sanctuary, solidarity, support, community organizing assistance, advocacy, and legal services to those escaping war, terror, political persecution, intolerance, exploitation, and other expressions of violence.
International Institute of the Bay Area
405 14th Street, Suite 500, Oakland, CA 94612
510-451-2846
Helps Bay Area residents determine if they are eligible for immigration relief, and represents them throughout the application process. Services in English, Spanish and Mandarin.
Centro Legal de la Raza
3400 E. 12th St, Oakland, CA 94601
510-437-1554
Has general immigration clinics as well as specific clinics for DACA applicants, unaccompanied minors, migrant families and detained individuals.
Catholic Charities of the East Bay
433 Jefferson Street, Oakland
510-768-3100 Thursdays 9am to 12 pm
or
217 Harbour Way, Richmond
510-234-5110 Tuesdays 1pm to 4pm
Provides low-cost immigration services by accredited representatives and licensed immigration attorneys.
Family Preparedness Plans
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center has created Family Preparedness Plans to help families plan ahead for emergency situations, including childcare arrangements in case family members are separated. You can download a plan here or ask your school for a copy:
Family Protection Plan / Plan de Protección Familiar (bilingual)
Family Protection Plan (Chinese)
Immigrant Rights
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
National Immigration Law Center – Know Your Rights
Print out wallet-sized cards with your rights in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Korean
Statements of Support for Immigrants and Undocumented People
- Berkeley School Board Policy (English|Español): The right to attend public school regardless of the immigration status
- Berkeley School Board Resolution: All students have the right to attend school regardless of the immigration status or religious affiliation of the student, or the student’s family members
- City of Berkeley Statement on Sanctuary
- UC Berkeley Statement of Principles
- California Department of Education web page in support of “safe haven” school districts
- California Legislators: California is a Refuge of Justice and Opportunity
- California Legislators: We Will Be Your Wall of Justice
- Governor Jerry Brown: We Are Not Turning Back
- BUSD Joins Lawsuit Seeking to Preserve DACA