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Immigration Enforcement & Safe Schools

July 2026

Our Commitment to Safe and Welcoming Schools

Dear New Haven Families,

We know that reports of immigration enforcement can cause fear and uncertainty. New Haven Unified remains committed to providing safe, welcoming schools where every student can learn and receive support.

In May, the Board of Education declared all district schools, facilities, and programs to be safe havens for students, staff, and families threatened by immigration enforcement. [Read the resolution here.]

This commitment means:

  • Every child has the right to attend public school, regardless of the student's or their family's immigration or citizenship status.
  • District employees will not ask about a student’s immigration status or require proof of legal status.
  • The district will protect confidential student and family information as required by law.
  • Employees will not voluntarily provide immigration enforcement officers with access to students, confidential information, school transportation, or nonpublic areas.
  • All enforcement requests will be referred immediately to district leaders and legal counsel for review.
  • Families and staff will be notified of verified immigration enforcement activity at a school or school-sponsored event. Parents or guardians will also be notified if an officer requests or gains access to their student, unless notification is legally prohibited.

Immigration officers may enter areas open to the public, and district employees cannot physically interfere with officers or disregard a valid judicial warrant or court order. However, the district will take every lawful step available to protect students and families.

Family Service Assistants at every school can connect families with trusted legal and community resources. District employees will not refer students or families to immigration enforcement agencies.

Please ensure that your emergency contacts and authorized pickup information are up to date by completing the Parent Data Confirmation in the [Aeries Parent Portal].

For multilingual resources and “Know Your Rights” materials, see below. Families needing assistance may also call the Centralized Enrollment Center at (510) 476-2625.

Every student belongs in New Haven. We remain committed to the safety, inclusion, and well-being of every child.

2025-2026

Dear New Haven Families,

Our school district remains a welcoming, inclusive environment for every student and family, regardless of immigration status. Our highest priority is the safety and security of our students and staff, and we are committed to ensuring that our campuses are safe, accessible places for learning. In line with local guidance:

  • Immigration enforcement personnel are not permitted to enter school grounds without proper legal authorization (e.g., a warrant signed by a judge).
  • We will not share information about a student’s or family’s immigration status.
  • We encourage families to ensure the school has the most up-to-date contact information, including emergency contacts and authorized persons to pick up students. This can be done by contacting your school site or through the Parent Data Confirmation Process, which is still open. 

If you are concerned about immigration enforcement, here are some steps you can take to prepare:

  • Prepare a family safety plan: identify who will care for your children if you cannot, make sure trusted friends or family know key information, and keep important documents safe and accessible.
  • Know your rights: Everyone, regardless of immigration status, has rights under the U.S. Constitution. For example, you do not have to open your door to enforcement agents unless they have the appropriate warrant. We have resources linked to this document below to assist you with this. 
  • Stay connected: If your child will be delayed in arriving at school or in being picked up, please call the school. Keep communication open.
  • Continue to send your children to school: Our campuses remain safe environments, and your child’s education is our priority.

Our schools and staff have been preparing for this for some time, and we have generated several documents to support district staff in responding to any immigration enforcement activity on a school campus, as well as resources for families who may be impacted by such activity. We have included links to these resources in this document below. 

To report any observed immigration enforcement activity, you can call the Alameda County Immigration Legal Education Partnership Hotline: (510) 241-4011.

If you need assistance or have questions or concerns about immigration enforcement, please contact your school office. We will help you however we can.

Together, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing safe, supportive, and inclusive schools for every student and family. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership in ensuring that all New Haven students feel secure and valued.

Sincerely,

John Thompson, Ed.D.
Superintendent

SPANISH TRANSLATION

Estimadas familias de New Haven:

Nuestro distrito escolar sigue siendo un entorno inclusivo y de bienvenida para todos los estudiantes y familias, independientemente de su estatus migratorio. Nuestra mayor prioridad es la seguridad y protección de nuestros estudiantes y personal y nos comprometemos a garantizar que nuestros planteles sean lugares seguros y accesibles para el aprendizaje. De acuerdo con la guía local:

  • El personal de inmigración no está autorizado a entrar a las instalaciones de la escuela sin la debida autorización legal (por ejemplo, una orden judicial firmada por un juez).
  • No compartiremos información sobre el estatus migratorio de los estudiantes o su familia.
  • Alentamos a las familias a que se aseguren de que la escuela dispone de sus datos más actualizados, incluidos sus contactos de emergencia y las personas autorizadas para recoger a los estudiantes. Para ello, puede comunicarse a la escuela o utilizar el proceso de confirmación de datos de los padres, que aún está abierto.

Si le preocupa la imposición de las leyes de inmigración, aquí tiene algunos pasos que puede seguir para prepararse:

  • Prepare un plan de seguridad familiar: identifique quién cuidará de sus hijos si usted no puede hacerlo, asegúrese de que sus amigos o familiares de confianza conozcan la información clave y mantenga los documentos importantes en un lugar seguro y accesible.
  • Conozca sus derechos: todas las personas, independientemente de su estatus migratorio, tienen derechos según la Constitución de los Estados Unidos. Por ejemplo, usted no tiene que abrir la puerta a los agentes de inmigración a menos que tengan la orden judicial correspondiente. A continuación, le proporcionamos enlaces a recursos que le ayudarán con esto.
  • Manténgase en contacto: si su hijo va a llegar tarde a la escuela o a que lo recojan, llame a la escuela. Mantenga la comunicación abierta.
  • Siga enviando a sus hijos a la escuela: nuestros planteles siguen siendo entornos seguros y la educación de su hijo es nuestra prioridad.

Nuestras escuelas y nuestro personal llevan tiempo preparándose para esto y hemos elaborado varios documentos para brindar apoyo al personal del distrito a fin de responder a cualquier actividad de control migratorio en la escuela, así como recursos para las familias que puedan verse afectadas por dicha actividad. Hemos incluido enlaces a estos recursos en el siguiente documento.

Para reportar cualquier actividad de agentes de inmigración que haya observado, puede llamar a la línea directa de la Asociación de Educación Legal sobre Inmigración del Condado de Alameda: (510) 241-4011.

Si necesita ayuda o tiene preguntas o inquietudes sobre las leyes de inmigración, comuníquese a la oficina de su escuela. Le ayudaremos en todo lo que podamos.

Juntos, nos mantenemos firmes en nuestro compromiso de proporcionar escuelas seguras, solidarias e inclusivas para todos los estudiantes y sus familias. Gracias por su continua confianza y colaboración para garantizar que todos los estudiantes de New Haven se sientan seguros y apreciados.

Atentamente,

John Thompson, Ed.D.
Superintendente

Families