How teachers, counselors and pastors can support undocumented students

This page is general information, not legal advice. DNLH is not a law office, clinic or crisis line.

What is the most important rule?

Protect the student's privacy. Do not ask about anyone's status, and do not write it down.

In California, schools may not collect citizenship or immigration status information except as the law requires. That is Education Code 234.7, as updated in 2025. The Attorney General's school guidance also says schools may not share student or family information with immigration officers without a judicial warrant, a judicial subpoena or a court order.

You do not need to know a student's status to help. The help is the same: a caring adult, accurate information, and a warm handoff to the right office.

If a student tells you on their own, thank them for trusting you. Keep it to yourself. Do not put it in an email, a group chat, a referral note or a prayer list.

What should I say, and what should I avoid?

Say things that open a door without pushing:

• "Lots of students have questions about college or work. I can help you find answers."
• "You don't have to tell me anything personal. Here is who can help."
• "Your status does not decide whether you belong here."

Avoid these:

• Asking "Are you undocumented?" or "Do you have papers?" Even kind questions can feel unsafe.
• Telling a whole class to "raise your hand if" anything about status or family.
• Promising outcomes. Don't say "You'll get DACA" or "They can't deport you." Say "A lawyer can tell you your options."
• Giving legal advice. Only lawyers and accredited representatives can give immigration legal advice, per the Federal Trade Commission. Point the student to free legal help.
• Sending families to a "notario." That is a common scam. See Warning signs of an immigration scam.

What rights do undocumented students have at school?

More than many families know. Share these plainly.

• Every child can attend public school. The Supreme Court decided this in Plyler v. Doe (1982). Schools cannot ask for status or a Social Security number to enroll, per the Attorney General. See Every child can go to public school.
• No discrimination because of immigration status. California Education Code 220 covers it in state funded programs.
• Bullying policies must cover immigration status, and staff must step in when it is safe to do so (Education Code 234.1). If it happens, help the family use How to file a discrimination complaint against a school.
• Immigration agents need a judicial warrant, subpoena or court order to enter nonpublic areas of a California school, and parents must be told. The Attorney General's model guidance explains what staff do. See What schools and child care centers should do if immigration agents arrive.

For the full set of rights for students under 18, send young people to Know your rights: a guide for undocumented young people.

What if a student is afraid for their family?

Fear is common right now. A student may stop coming to school, stop eating, or stop sleeping. Here is what helps.

1. Listen first. "That sounds really scary. I'm glad you told me."
2. Give one concrete step. A family preparedness plan is the strongest one. Share Make a family preparedness plan. Since January 1, 2026, California schools follow the family's emergency contact instructions first when a parent cannot pick up a child (AB 495). Encourage families to keep those contacts current.
3. Give the rapid response number for their county. In San Mateo County, call (203) 666-4472, per the county page. In Santa Clara County, call (408) 290-1144, per the county immigrant relations office. Elsewhere in California, ask a local legal aid group for the county line.
4. Offer mental health support. California offers free coaching for young people and parents through BrightLife Kids and Soluna, regardless of insurance or status. See When your teen is struggling and Help children who are afraid of immigration raids.
5. If a student talks about suicide or self harm, stay with them and connect them to help. They can call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. If anyone is in danger right now, call 911. Then follow your school's safety protocol.

If a parent has already been detained, see How to help children cope when a parent is detained or deported.

How do I help with college and money?

This is where many students get wrong information. Get these facts right.

• College is open to undocumented students in California. AB 540 can give in state tuition based on California schooling, not status.
• The California Dream Act Application opens state aid like Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship. It is for students who cannot file the FAFSA. CSAC says its information is never shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement. The 2027 to 2028 deadline is March 2, 2027 (September 2, 2027 also for community college). Walk students through How to apply for the CA Dream Act.
• A U.S. citizen student with undocumented parents files the FAFSA, not the Dream Act Application. See My parent is undocumented: can I still file the FAFSA?
• DACA is not required for state aid. First time DACA requests are accepted but not processed as of October 21, 2026. Do not tell students to wait for DACA before applying to college.
• Private scholarships exist that do not ask for citizenship. See Where to find scholarships that do not require citizenship.
• Every California community college and CSU campus must name a Dreamer Resource Liaison (Education Code 66021.8). UC campuses are asked to. Connect seniors to that person before they enroll. Local list: Dream Centers and undocumented student programs at Bay Area colleges.

Write letters of recommendation without mentioning status unless the student asks you to and the scholarship is for undocumented students.

New words confusing you or the family? Use the Glossary: college and financial aid words for immigrant families.

Where do I send a student for legal help?

Send them to free, trusted legal help, not to a website or a friend's lawyer.

• Community college students, staff and faculty can get free immigration legal services through the California Community Colleges program, booked at findyourally.com. It covers consultations, DACA renewals, family petitions and naturalization. The page (updated August 20, 2026) says removal defense and asylum are not funded right now, but referrals may be given.
• CSU students can find free legal help through their campus. The CSU undocumented students page links to each campus's legal help.
• K to 12 families in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties: Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, (650) 326-6440, for low income residents of both counties.
• San Mateo County: Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City, (650) 587-1558 for a free first consultation, or (650) 780-7530 for the office main line and workshops (IIBA). Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, (650) 558-0915.
• A child who came alone may get free legal help through the state's Youth Legal Services program.

For more options, see Free legal help in the Bay Area and How to find a lawyer you can trust.

What can a church or youth group do?

Faith communities and youth programs are often where students feel safest. Use that trust carefully.

• Keep records light. Don't collect status, birthplace or ID numbers on sign up sheets or prayer lists. Ask for a name and a way to reach the family.
• Know that rules have changed. DHS rescinded its old "protected areas" guidance on January 20, 2025, and ICE now decides case by case, per ICE's page. Do not promise anyone that a building is a safe zone.
• Host a workshop with experts. Invite a legal aid group for a know your rights or family preparedness session. See Lead a family preparedness workshop at a church or school and Teach your community their rights.
• Offer practical help: rides to appointments, a quiet place to study, help printing forms, a trusted adult to sit with a student filling out the Dream Act Application.
• Hand out red cards. The ILRC offers free red cards in many languages.

What mistakes make things worse?

• Outing a student, even by accident, in an email, a referral or a conversation with other staff.
• Spreading rumors about raids. Check before you share. Rapid response lines confirm real activity.
• Doing the legal work yourself. Filling out immigration forms for someone is a job for a lawyer or accredited representative.
• Assuming every student is undocumented because of language or family. Ask what help they need, not who they are.
• Pressuring a student to tell their story for a fundraiser or event. Let them decide when, where and how.
• Burning out. You cannot fix immigration law. You can be steady and connected. Build a team at your school or congregation.

Questions people ask

Can I put a student's status in a counseling note? Don't. California schools may not collect status except as the law requires (Education Code 234.7). Write what you did ("Referred to legal aid"), not why.

What if an agent asks me about a student? In a California school, send them to the principal or the person named in your school's policy. Staff may not share student information without a judicial warrant, judicial subpoena or court order, per the Attorney General's guidance. Outside school, you can stay silent and ask for a lawyer. See If immigration agents come.

A student with DACA asks if they should renew. Yes, send them to a legal clinic quickly. Renewals are still processed. See DACA.

Is there training for staff? Many colleges run "UndocuAlly" trainings. Foothill College and UC Berkeley list them. Ask your local Dream Center.

I live outside California. Does this apply? Plyler v. Doe and FTC scam warnings apply everywhere. The California laws on this page do not. Ask a local legal aid group about your state.

Who can help?

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

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (anywhere in the U.S.): call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.
• California Attorney General, Bureau of Children's Justice (statewide): (800) 952-5225, BCJ@doj.ca.gov, for school rights problems, per the AG's rights notice.
• California Community Colleges legal services (statewide, community college students): findyourally.com.
• CLSEPA (San Mateo and Santa Clara counties): (650) 326-6440.
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City (San Mateo County): (650) 587-1558 consultations; (650) 780-7530 main line.
• Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County (San Mateo County): (650) 558-0915.