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! Check out the Sanctuary Schools Model Policy.
Questions about immigration justice in schools can be sent to sanctuaryschoolsvt@pm.me.
The information is constantly changing. Here are our most recent updates and guidance:
Questions about immigration justice in schools can be sent to sanctuaryschoolsvt@pm.me.
Community Organizing Resources for Sanctuary Schools
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The first step is to organize students, caregivers, educators, and community members to have the school board pass the sanctuary school policy. In some districts there may not be enough support to pass the policy but you can still work internally with school leaders to implement know your rights and best practices described below.
Sanctuary Schools Toolkit: A guide for parents students and stakeholders in local school districts
Understanding the Sanctuary School and Safe Zone Movement: A quick guide for educators - includes sample policies, a guide for getting started, and legal considerations, as well as the legal basis for sanctuary schools
Legal Authority of for “Sanctuary” School Policy - This document shares the technical legal background for why these policies can and should exist
Talking points for Sanctuary Schools - These can be used to create testimony at the school board, writing emails, doing social media messages.
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Vermont Language Justice Project Know Your Rights videos
Vermont Asylum Assistance Project’s recommended Know Your Rights resources
Know your rights cards in multiple languages and know your rights booklet in English and Spanish to share to share with all students/families
Web training from Civil Liberties Defense Center, Oregon (English; there is an intro for about 7 minutes, then skip to 39:20)
Brief video: What to do if you are stopped by the police or ICE? (English, from ACLU)
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition rights information, includes (Spanish, English, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese):
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Rapid Response Toolkit - (click to download resources)
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Request legal support: Learn about free immigration legal organizations, private immigration attorneys here, and other legal offices providing legal aid and rights enforcement here: https://www.vaapvt.org/legal-support.
Migrant Justice - emergency phone 802-881-7229
Support for students setting up temporary guardianship in case a parent were to be deported in a mixed-status family - Barb Prine (bprine@vtlegalaid.org)
Request material support: Learn about organizations providing Vermont noncitizens with advocacy, direct services, and material support here: https://www.vaapvt.org/get-material-help.
Policy Implementation Resources for Sanctuary Schools
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Guidance to superintendents from the Vermont Agency of Education
School Crisis Playbook: Deportation Response - This toolkit has some great resources and guidance to help school leaders prepare for potential immigration raids
American Federation of Teachers Deportation Defense Guide - This is a concise four page document that educators can use to prepare and keep on hand in case ICE arrives at their door.
Face Sheet Ice in Schools - This is a one page fact sheet for educators
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It is important to know that the only reason ICE is allowed on campus or allowed to access students 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 below resources help you understand what is a judicial warrant and what is not.
Warrants and Subpoenas: What to look for and how to respond - includes case studies and samples (from 2020)
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Vermont Language Justice Project Know Your Rights videos
Vermont Asylum Assistance Project’s recommended Know Your Rights resources
Know your rights cards in multiple languages and know your rights booklet in English and Spanish to share to share with all students/families
Web training from Civil Liberties Defense Center, Oregon (English; there is an intro for about 7 minutes, then skip to 39:20)
Brief video: What to do if you are stopped by the police or ICE? (English, from ACLU)
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition rights information, includes (Spanish, English, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese)