Immigration Concerns

Responding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on School Grounds 
2025-2026

We know there are concerns and questions about if and how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may access Simi Valley Unified School District campuses and students. The following information was gathered using guidance from the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, and District’s legal counsel. These are the procedures we must legally follow if ICE comes to any of our schools requesting information or access to a student. Our schools’ office staff and administrators have been trained in these procedures and no information or access to our students will be granted to immigration officials unless the immigration officials meet the specific requirements listed below.

1.  SVUSD will address these requests using the same policies and procedures that have been used in the past when a police officer or social worker comes to a school site.

2.  School staff will immediately notify their director of the immigration officer's presence and their request.

3.  School staff will advise the immigration officer that, before proceeding with the request, and absent exigent circumstances, we must first receive direction from the appropriate director.

4.  School staff will ask to see, and make a copy of or note, the immigration officer’s credentials (name and badge number), and the phone number of their supervisor.

5.  School staff will ask the immigration officer for their reason for being on school grounds and document it.

6.  School staff will ask the immigration officer to produce any documentation that authorizes their access to our school.

7.  School staff make a copy of all documents provided by the immigration officer. 

8.  An immigration official could present the school with one of the following documents: 

Type of Document	Details about Document	Action by Administrator
Warrant	This document WILL say “exigent circumstances” at the top of the form and the form will be signed by a judge.	Comply with order immediately.
Judicial Order	Will NOT say “exigent circumstances” at the top of the form but the form will be signed by a judge.	The school has time to send copies of the documents to their director. The director will contact legal counsel for guidance.    Do not comply with order until cleared by the director.
Subpoena	This will look similar to other subpoenas.	Make copies of the form and send to the “Custodian of Records” at the SVUSD District Office.   Do not comply with the subpoena.

9.  School staff will not give access by an immigration officer unless they declare “exigent circumstances” or hold a federal judicial warrant. Staff will not attempt to physically impede an immigration officer, even if they appear to lack authorization to enter. If an immigration officer enters the premises without consent, their actions will be documented while on campus.

10.  School staff will not disclose student information to immigration officers for immigration enforcement purposes without the written consent from a parent, guardian, or student (if the student is over 18 and/or is enrolled in a post-secondary program) or if the school staff is presented with a court order or judicial subpoena. 

11.  After the encounter with the immigration officer, school staff will promptly complete documentation of the visit: 

a. Immigration Enforcement Visit Documentation (a form the school staff will complete).

b. Collect copies of all documentation (business cards, badges, warrants, subpoenas, orders, etc…). 

12.  School staff will notify the student’s parents/guardians as soon as possible (unless prevented by a judicial warrant or subpoena) and will do so before an immigration officer questions or removes the student for immigration enforcement purposes (unless a judicial warrant has been presented). 

13.  School staff will provide a copy of those notes and associated documents collected from the immigration officer to the appropriate director. 

14.  In the event that a parent or guardian is detained by immigration officers while their student is at school, please know that the school will only release the student to those individuals listed on the student’s emergency contact list in Aeries. It is vital that all parents and guardians update this contact list at least each year (and as often as needed during the school year). It is strongly advised that parents/guardians list multiple emergency contacts for each student in our schools, in case a contact cannot be located in the event of an emergency. If there is no emergency contact listed in the student’s Aeries folder, or if the emergency contact cannot be located, the school must notify social services.

Lastly, please know that we have school social workers and counselors available to support all students in need at any time.