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.
نحن نعمل على توفير الموارد باللغة العربية. يرجى التحقق مرة أخرى
Local Resources
City of Berkeley Guide to Local Resources and Support
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.
Immigration 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.
Nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services
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.
Immigration Resources in the Bay Area
By International Human Rights Law Clinic, UC Berkeley School of Law
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.
Family Preparedness Plan (English)
Plan de Preparación Familiar (Spanish)
Family Preparedness Plan (Chinese)
Immigrant Rights and Legal Resources
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
Nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services
Free legal Assistance for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by Al Otro Lado, email: karina@alotrolado.org.
Derechos de los Inmigrantes by American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) (English webpage)
The district is sharing resources provided by local and national organizations doing work in support of immigrant families but makes no endorsement of the content.
Know Your Rights: Interactions with ICE Agents
Undocumented immigrants in the US do have rights when it comes to interactions with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Right to Remain Silent: You have the right to remain silent and not answer questions about your immigration status or country of origin.
- Right to an Attorney: You can request to speak with an attorney before providing any information.
- Right to Not Open the Door: ICE agents cannot enter your home without a valid warrant signed by a judge. You can ask to see the warrant before opening the door.
- Right to Not Sign Anything Without Understanding: If presented with any documents, you should not sign them without understanding their contents. You can ask for clarification or seek legal advice.
- Right to Not Be Subject to Unlawful Searches and Seizures: ICE agents cannot search your home or belongings without a valid warrant.
It’s important to stay calm and composed during any encounter with ICE agents and to assert your rights confidently. If you feel your rights have been violated, you can report the incident to organizations like the ACLU or other legal aid groups.
Related BUSD Policies and Regulations
- Protection of Undocumented Students
- Protección de Estudiantes Indocumentados
- Protection of Students From Immigrant Families (English and Spanish)
- Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities
- Hate Motivated Behavior
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
- BUSD Joins Lawsuit Seeking to Preserve DACA