What should schools do if ICE comes?

This is a hard moment for any school. You can handle it with a clear plan. This page covers California public schools. Schools in other states should ask their district lawyer and state education agency; the federal warrant rules in the table below apply everywhere. This is general information, not legal advice. Your district's lawyer has the final word for your school.

Can agents come to a school?

Yes. On January 20, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security canceled the policy that kept officers away from schools in most cases. ICE now decides case by case. California law does not stop agents from coming. It controls what your school and staff may allow.

What should staff do the moment agents arrive?

The Attorney General's guidance (December 2025, pages 31 to 32) gives a 10 step response. In short:

1. Follow the principal or district's direction, unless there is an emergency.
2. Ask for credentials. Note the officer's name, badge number and a supervisor's phone number.
3. Ask why they are there.
4. Ask for any documents and make a copy.
5. Respond based on the document (see below).
6. Do not consent to entry of nonpublic areas or to a search. Do not physically block the officer.
7. Document what happens, and go with the officer if you safely can.
8. Write notes right away.
9. Give your notes to district counsel or the person the district names.
10. Email the Attorney General at BCJ@doj.ca.gov about any attempt to reach a schoolsite or a student for immigration enforcement. The superintendent or designee also reports to the governing board.

If an officer says it is an emergency and demands to come in right away, comply, and call the superintendent or an administrator at once.

How do I tell which paper they have?

More: How to tell an ICE warrant from a judge's warrant.

What does California law require?

Under Education Code 234.7:

• No entry to nonpublic areas like classrooms and offices, for any purpose, without a valid judicial warrant, judicial subpoena or court order.
• No sharing of student records, family or household information, or staff information, including home address and schedules, without one of those three.
• No interview or search of a student without consent from a parent or guardian, unless there is a judge's warrant or court order.
• Tell parents right away if an officer asks for or gets access to their child, unless a judge's warrant or court order says not to. Tell parents right away if a student is released to law enforcement.
• Follow the parent's emergency contact instructions first if a parent is not available. Do not call child protective services unless care cannot be arranged that way.

District policies had to match these rules by March 1, 2026. Schools must post Know Your Educational Rights in offices and on their website.

The law covers nonpublic areas of a schoolsite. It does not mention public streets or sidewalks outside the school. Staff should not try to stop agents on public property; write down what you see and call the district.

Do these rules cover private schools?

Education Code 234.7 binds officials and employees of a local educational agency: a school district, a county office of education or a charter school. It does not mention private schools. If you run a private school, the federal warrant rules in the table above still apply, and you can choose to adopt the same front office steps. Ask your own lawyer what your school must do.

What do we tell all families?

Under SB 98 (Education Code 32282), every K to 12 school safety plan must say how the school will notify parents, guardians, teachers and staff when it confirms immigration enforcement on site. The law does not define "confirms". Agree with district counsel now on who decides that and how fast the notice goes out. The notice may not include personal information that identifies anyone. It may link to resources on educational rights, privacy and counseling. Think about student safety when you decide what to say and when.

What do we do after agents leave?

1. Write it down now. Time, names, badge numbers, what papers were shown, who they asked about, what was said.
2. Send your notes to district counsel or the person the district names.
3. Email the Attorney General at BCJ@doj.ca.gov. The superintendent or designee also reports to the governing board.
4. Call parents of any student the officers asked about or had contact with, unless a judge's warrant or court order says not to.
5. Send the SB 98 notice to families and staff if the school confirms immigration enforcement on site, without names or other identifying details.
6. Check on students and staff. Offer the school counselor. Keep the day as normal as you can.

Can we ask families about immigration status?

No. California schools may not collect citizenship or immigration status information except as the law requires, and directory information cannot include national origin, citizenship or immigration status (Attorney General guidance). A Social Security number is never needed to enroll. Do not keep lists of which families are undocumented.

What should we set up now?

• Name who answers the front door and who calls the district.
• Train office staff on the 10 steps and the table above.
• Ask families to update emergency contacts every fall.
• Share the Attorney General's guidance with families, as the law requires. It covers family safety plans, the Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit and keeping emergency contacts current.
• Agree with counsel on what "confirms" means for your SB 98 notice.

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Your district's legal counsel, first.
• California Attorney General, Bureau of Children's Justice: (800) 952-5225, BCJ@doj.ca.gov
• San Mateo County Rapid Response Hotline (for San Mateo County): (203) 666-4472, 24 hours
• Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network (for Santa Clara County): (408) 290-1144, 24 hours
• Other California counties: CCIJ's list of local rapid response hotlines
• Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (based in East Palo Alto): (650) 326-6440, for families who need legal help. Families facing arrest or a court case should talk to a lawyer or DOJ accredited representative.

Related questions

• Can ICE come into my child's school?
• What can parents do to protect their kids at school?
• What protections do immigrant students have in California schools?

Every child in your building has the right to learn without fear. A calm, prepared front office protects that.