Sanctuary Schools

What does Trump’s removal of the protected areas policy mean for sanctuary schools? Can schools still be sanctuary schools?

Trump has issued an executive order that allows immigration enforcement to have unbridled power in previously protected public spaces, including schools. While this executive order may appear all-powerful, schools still have ways to work to protect students’ rights. No student should have to encounter ICE when trying to access their education. No student should have to fear for their friends, family, or their own safety in the presence of immigration officials, especially in a place of learning.

As Trump ramps up his plans for mass deportation, enshrining our schools as sanctuary schools is a key to ensuring immigrant students feel safe at school. Our community members have put together this resource to provide more information about Trump's Executive Order, and what you can do to make schools a safer place for all students now. We recognize policy may likely change during the Trump presidency and we will work to keep this page updated as circumstances change.

You can find answers to commonly asked questions here.

Steps you can take right now to move towards sanctuary schools (more info here):

1. Provide specific guidance for ALL staff about what to do if ICE shows up: Who do people call? What actions do they take (or not take) until that person is reached?

2. Provide information about what a judicial warrant looks like and the difference between a judicial warrant and an administrative warrant.

3. Communicate with students and families in home language about your commitment to keeping immigrant students, family members, and the larger community safe, including specific action steps you are taking. 

4. Provide information to educators, students, families, and community about Know Your Rights, community services, legal support, etc. (see an example event held in Burlington in 2017)

1. Provide specific guidance for all staff

What does communication with educators and other staff look like?

• South Burlington: FAQ for protecting immigrant students & Staff statement 

• Winooski School District Comprehensive Procedures

• NYC: Protocols for Non-Local Law Enforcement

• Boston: Resources for Educators: “useful links to support your families and students when the need arises to have brave conversations about immigration and diversity” 

• Upper Valley Based Presentation for Educators: Supporting Immigrant Students and Families

• Lebanon, NH: Educator-created presentation: The Role and Responsibilities of Educators During ICE Raids 

Questions you may want to ask your school district

1. Are there protocols that should be followed for off campus school events like field trips, sports games etc?

2. Who do we call if ICE comes to the door?

3. Should we be labeling areas as private within our schools?

What have other districts and cities done?

• Told bus drivers not to drop students off at bus stops if ICE is present (Worcester, MA)

• Cities, police refuse to cooperate with and/or speak out against ICE raids (Boston, Chicago, Newark)

• Outline plan to support immigrant families (Bridgeport, CT, New Haven, CT)

• Cities have provided resources for new residents (New Haven, CT)

• National Overview

What guidance have state or national agencies given?

• Connecticut State Department of Education Guidance (January 28, 2025)

• Massachusetts Attorney General Guidance (January 24, 2025) 

• Vermont AOE Guidance (updated January 31, 2025)

• Vermont AOE Guidance (also here) (January 17, 2025)

• US Secretary of Education Guidance (January 8, 2025)

• Backup copy here

• State Policies 

2. Provide information about what a judicial warrant looks like

It is important to know that the only reason ICE is allowed in private areas of campus or allowed to access confidential student record information is if they have a judicial warrant. A judicial warrant is a very specific legal document signed by a judge, not simply a formal-looking letter. The resources below will help you understand what a judicial warrant is and what it is not. 

• Warrants and Subpoenas: What they are and how to respond - includes case studies and samples (updated January 2025) 

• Judicial Warrant vs. Ice Administrative Document 

• Sample Signed Warrant

3. Communicate with Families and Students: What does communication with families look like?

• Philadelphia: Resources for Families and Welcoming Schools Statement 

• NYC: Immigrant Families FAQ

• Boston: Resources for Immigrant Families

• New Haven:

• Resource Guide for Residents (linked on district website) 

• Parent Bill of Rights for Multilingual Learners 

• Letter sent to families 

• Manchester, NH: Letter sent to families

• Roundup of school district emails to families - focus on both LGBTQ+ students and immigrant students

4. Provide information to educators, students, families and community 

• Know your rights videos: from ACLU and VT Language Justice

• Cards in various languages

• Family planning 

• Report ICE here - ensure you’re reporting accurate and verified information. 

• Look up where someone is being held here

• VAAP website- Community Resources Page - this provides links to resources such as red cards, language videos from ACLU and VT Language Justice Project, Family Planning info, and more. The website translates into 7 languages for ease of access.  

• For more resources check out: EdJ Sanctuary Schools 

The Education Justice Coalition of Vermont has partnered with multiple immigration rights organizations and individual advocates to create an updated Sanctuary School Model Policy. We are encouraging students, educators, school support staff, families and community members to band together to pass this policy! You can see Winooski in the news here and here who is working to pass a sanctuary schools model policy.

Sanctuary Schools Presentation

• Sanctuary Schools Slide deck - you can use and alter this for your own community presentations

• Sanctuary Schools - Mini-presentation video