Family Preparedness

Immigration Rights & Advocacy

“All children in the United States have a right to a free public education, regardless of
race, ethnic background, religion, sex, or citizen status.” — Plyler vs. Doe, 1982

Our Promise

At KIPP Public Schools Northern California, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive place for ALL our students. Our Board of Directors passed a resolution on December 15, 2016, declaring our schools safe school zones. KIPP NorCal has resolved to publicly show our support for all our students regardless of status.

The resolution confirms the following:

  • Affirms the authority of KIPP NorCal staff to continue to protect the status and identities of our students, families,
    and team.
  • Declares our schools as safe places and sources of information.
  • Directs us to put a process in place in the event that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shows up
    at a school.
  • Encourages us to be more active in providing support, information, and resources.
  • Directs the creation of a plan to address the above.

One of the steps laid out in the resolution is to provide information and resources to our students and families.
In keeping with this promise, we have compiled information for families that may be affected by the proposed immigration policies. We encourage you to read this as a family and invite you to discuss this information with a KIPP NorCal team member. KIPP cannot provide you with legal advice; we can point you in the direction of legal and advocacy resources that can provide these services.

Make a Family Plan Find Your Advocates Avoid Immigration Assistance Fraud
Know Your Rights Immigration Court & Detention Info

Make a Family Plan

Safety begins with prevention. Developing a Family Plan can keep your family safe and prepared if ICE comes to your home.

  • Create a list of emergency contacts for your family and share it with your child’s school.
  • Have a childcare plan ready. If you are detained, have a Caregiver Authorization Affidavit in place. This form allows a non-parent relative to enroll a child in public school, make school-related medical decisions, and make other important decisions on the minor’s behalf. This form must be updated annually. Update the school with this person’s name and contact information.
  • Keep a file of all important documents in a safe place. Passports from your country of origin, your children’s passport, birth certificates, Registry of birth (for U.S. born children registered in their parent’s home country), Social Security cards, immigration cards, Drivers
    License or other Identification Cards, Marriage License, Caregiver’s Adavit, family medical information, etc.
  • Carry a copy of your immigration papers. The law requires non-citizens who are 18 or older and who have been issued valid U.S. immigration documents to carry those documents with them at all times.
  • Assign Power of Attorney to a trusted friend or family member that can look after your property and accounts if you are detained.
  • Find an immigration attorney that you trust and carry their contact information with you.
  • Educate your children and family on their rights if they are approached by ICE.
  • Contact the Consulate for your country of origin with specific questions and additional assistance. embassy.goabroad.com

Find Your Advocates

You have rights and access to legal assistance, regardless of your immigration status. Part of your Family Plan should include legal representation and immigration advocacy information. Contact these groups and keep their phone numbers on you at all times.

Immigrant Rights Groups

  • Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN)

    1415 Koll Circle, Ste 108, San José, CA 95112
    Span/Eng: (408) 453-3017 | Viet/Eng: (408) 453-3013
    siren-bayarea.org

  • Asylum Access

    1611 Telegraph Ave, Ste 1111, Oakland, CA
    94612 (510) 891-8700 | asylumaccess.org

  • Mission Action

    938 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
    (415) 282.6209 ext. 130; immigration@missionaction.org
    missionaction.org

  • Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)

    3101 Mission St, Ste 101, San Francisco, CA 94110
    (415) 642-4400 | carecensf.org

Legal & Civil Liberties Groups

Avoid Immigration Assistance Fraud

Protect yourself from anyone who is NOT qualified to handle immigration cases. Your legal representation is your strongest defense against deportation.

  • In California, only 3 kinds of providers can help you with your immigration case: Lawyers, Non-profit agencies with Accredited Representatives, and Bonded Immigration Consultants.
  • Do NOT use anyone advertised as a notario público. In the U.S., notarios are not lawyers and cannot give legal help.
  • Require the following information from the provider: Credentials or proof the consultant paid their bond, a contract with the services you will get and how much you will pay, copies of your contract and all papers filed for your case, and payment receipts signed and dated by the provider in your preferred language.
  • Keep originals in a safe place at home, and bring copies of any requested documents to your legal counsel.
  • Find qualified legal services and providers before you need them. Make sure you are working with a lawyer that specializes in immigration cases.

Do NOT hire anyone who:

  • Refuses to give you a written contract.
  • Charges you for blank immigration forms. Get free forms at uscis.gov/forms.
  • Charges you to “get on a waiting list” or “put your application in line” for immigration reform. There is no list or line.
  • Guarantees you a work permit or promises you a good result because of their special contacts at Immigration.
  • Asks you to lie on a form or sign a blank document.
  • Keeps your original documents or charges you to get them back.


Know Your Rights

You have constitutional rights:

  • DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door.
  • DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent. If the ICE officer does not speak your language, ask for an interpreter.
  • DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.
  • If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.

If you or a family member are detained, you still have rights and resources to help you.

  • You may remain silent while you are detained and you do not need to answer questions except for your name.
  • You do NOT have to sign anything and you can wait to sign documents with an attorney. Ask to see an attorney immediately.
  • You have the right to a phone call. When you call your family, tell them the name of the location where you are detained and your Alien Registration Number, or “A” number.
  • Ask for bond once you’re in immigration custody. Ask for bond even if the officers tell you that you are not eligible.
  • Ask for an interpreter if you do not speak English.

Immigration Court & Detention Info

If someone you know is detained, contact the following organizations:

  • ICE Office in San Francisco: (415) 844-5512
  • Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) hotline number (240-314-1500) or 24-hour line (1-800-898-7180) to get information on your case status.
  • Online Detainee Locator System: locator.ice.gov
  • Know the “A Number,” the Alien Registration number of the detained individual.

The best way to protect yourself before you are approached by ICE is to stay informed. Know your rights and the current and proposed laws that may affect you and your family. Use the information in this document at your own discretion.