These resources are intended to help Utah Education Association (UEA) members understand their rights, as well as those of immigrant students and their families.
Legal Disclaimer: This material is provided solely for the use of UEA members. It is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal or professional advice. If you have questions about your legal or contractual rights, contact your UEA UniServ Director/field staff or local association leadership. Any interaction with this website does not create an attorney/client privilege. Do not send confidential information by email. The UEA is not liable for errors or actions based on the following information.
What can educators do?
- Know your district’s rules. Review your district’s visitor policies and student data privacy policies (including who can access campuses and records). Make sure staff follow them consistently.
- Share resources, not legal advice. Educators can connect students and families with trusted Utah-based community and legal resources. Avoid giving direct legal advice or interpreting immigration documents.
- Build a staff and parent response plan. Work with parent organizations and school partners to identify supports for families who may lose a caregiver or income source, or need help with transportation, child care, food, housing, or counseling.
- Report enforcement activity near school. If you become aware of immigration enforcement activity at or near a school, notify your administrator per policy and inform your UEA UniServ Director/field staff or local association leadership so concerns can be elevated appropriately.
- Keep schools welcoming and supportive. Use trauma-informed practices. Some students may be living with intense fear or uncertainty related to their own status or that of family members.
If ICE arrives at or outside your school
- Stay calm and professional. Do not physically interfere with agents. Do not grant automatic access or share information without following district protocol.
- Refer to the designated decision-maker. Direct agents to the superintendent, principal, or district designee immediately. Do not make independent decisions.
- Verify identity and purpose. Ask for the agent’s name, agency, badge number, and reason for the visit. Write it down immediately.
- Request documentation. Ask to see any warrant, subpoena, or court order. Do not rely on verbal requests alone.
- Know the difference in documents.
- Judicial warrant (signed by a judge): may compel compliance.
- Administrative warrant (issued/signed by an agency): may not provide the same authority for entry or records access.
If you’re unsure, treat it as not verified until reviewed.
- Do not release records first. Student information and records should not be shared until district legal counsel reviews the request and documentation.
- Family notification. Families should be informed if there is a request for information about them or a student unless a valid court order specifically prohibits notice. Administration typically handles this unless you are directed otherwise.
- Document everything. Record what happened: who, what, when, where, documents presented, and what was requested/said. Follow district policy and state law on any audio/video recording and do not obstruct.
If an arrest occurs or a student/family is directly impacted
- Connect to support quickly. If a student, staff member, or family member is detained/arrested, schools can share information to help connect them with trusted legal support and community resources.
- Report suspected unlawful activity. If you have concerns about an agent’s conduct or identity, document details and elevate the concern through your district chain of command and your UEA UniServ Director/field staff or local association leadership.
- Do not comment publicly. Avoid public statements about a student or family’s immigration situation. Even with permission, it may be treated as an unauthorized disclosure of student information.
Unauthorized replication or distribution of this material without prior written permission from UEA is prohibited.
