With the potential increase in immigration enforcement activities this year, it is essential for school administrators to adhere to existing privacy and civil rights laws concerning the data they collect and the technology they use. Research from the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) indicates that some schools may be inadvertently participating in immigration enforcement. Notably, 17 percent of teachers reported their schools have shared student information with immigration authorities during the past academic year.

While Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) traditionally avoids conducting enforcement actions on K-12 school campuses, this practice is a norm rather than a formal prohibition. Therefore, school officials should be prepared to handle possible enforcement activities on campus.

The document aims to provide insights into how immigration enforcement could impact K-12 schools and offers guidance on maintaining compliance with legal obligations that persist regardless of any uptick in enforcement measures.