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What benefits are immigrants eligible for?

PASOs, one of the coalition’s member organizations, has created a document that summarizes immigrant access to public benefits and healthcare.

What impact do raids have on immigrant children?
Research consistently shows that immigration enforcement actions have a harmful impact on the overall well-being of children, including U.S. citizen children living in mixed-status families.

Are there places where raids are prohibited?

The Department of Education provides a good summary of “safe spaces,” but there are some exceptions. According to a policy memorandum released by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in 2011, commonly referred to as the “sensitive locations memo,” ICE officers and agents are to refrain from enforcement actions at least at the following locations and events:

  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Churches, synagogues, mosques and other institutions of worship
  • Funerals, weddings and other public religious ceremonies
  • Public demonstrations, such as a march, rally or parade.

Note: The sensitive locations policy memorandum may be reversed. You should stay informed about possible changes.

Is there a federal law that prevents schools from sharing student information?

Yes. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), schools are prohibited, without parental consent, from providing information from a student’s file to federal immigration agents if the information would potentially expose a student’s immigration status.

  • If ICE agents present a school with a removal warrant (deportation order), the school is still permitted to refrain from providing student information, as the warrant is administrative, not judicial
  • Under FERPA, schools may disclose directory information without consent, but they are required to allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them
  • Some schools have interpreted the Plyler decision as prohibiting them from requiring students to provide Social Security cards or birth certificates as a condition of enrollment, test taking or participation in school activities.

Where can I find Spanish-language know your rights materials?

The Mexican Consulate has compiled know your rights materials in Spanish. CASA, a legal advocacy organization in Maryland, has compiled similar materials.

The fate of DACA is uncertain, and there are a lot of questions about how to support these young people.

Numerous websites address these questions. You can start with www.scdaca.org. Advocacy organizations such as Appleseed Legal Justice Center also post updated information about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Appleseed has also developed several videos to allow DACAmented youth to explain the program and its importance: