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Immigration-Related Safety, Support and Resources

Updated Feb. 10 at 12:30 p.m.

This has been and continues to be a very trying time in our community. Many of our families and colleagues are dealing with immense feelings of fear and anxiety due to Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) action taking place in our communities. Osseo Area Schools prides ourselves on being One Community For All. Not some. Not many. All. Our foremost priority during this time, as always, is to create safe and secure learning environments that allow us to meet students where they're at and to provide meaningful education to each and every student in our community. 

Our district and school teams have put many plans into place to ensure the continuation of this opportunity for all of our students. These plans have been built up for more than a year to ensure that proper protocols and procedures best serve staff, students and families. 

 

Areas of focus and supporting logistics

Safety is our foremost priority

As our district has already shared, safety and security is our foremost priority. As a reminder, please know: 

  • Our district administrative team has been in contact with local law enforcement leaders – Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove and Osseo – and they’re on the same page with maintaining safe school environments should a situation occur. 
  • Our schools are closely monitored between our school safety staff, cameras and radios. 
  • Our district has a comprehensive emergency plan developed with the help of local law enforcement, emergency management and public health officials. There are five safety responses for any situation. Per our protocol, if there is a threat outside a school, like ICE on or near campus, the school will go into a secure action so everyone outside will be brought in and will remain in school until the situation is resolved. As always all doors will be locked. 
  • All visitors must check into a main office prior to entering a school. And as shared, if ICE comes to a school, they must have a warrant or order signed by an appropriate judicial authority. Our district’s General Counsel must be contacted to review and provide direction. 
  • Our district continues to be committed to safeguarding privacy. School board policy 406 and 515 are strict that only directory information can be shared. Staff and family addresses and personal contact information are not a part of directory information. This policy is also followed by all the tools and vendors our team works with from communication to technology to transportation. 
  • Our team is directing staff not to escalate any situation, but to instead follow their district response protocol training. Our focus is 100% on students, and the safety of our students and staff.

Transportation-specific safety procedures 

Osseo Area Schools and our transportation partners have established protocols to protect every student.

If ICE approaches a bus:

  • Drivers remain calm, cooperate and gather basic information.
  • The situation is reported immediately to dispatch, who alerts district officials and management.
  • Management and district officials respond to the scene, coordinate with authorities and ensure compliance with laws and district policies.
  • General Counsel and Safety and Emergency Management teams are involved as needed.
  • ICE cannot enter a school bus (school property) without a valid warrant. If this occurs, legal and safety teams respond immediately.

Information shared with bus drivers:

  • Discuss all inquiries with law enforcement at the driver’s window when possible.
  • Ask for the reason for the inquiry and gather details.
  • Report all information to dispatch.
  • Inform law enforcement that management and district officials are on the way.
  • Continue cooperating while awaiting district response.
  • Drivers are trained to follow protocols, not impede lawful investigations, and ensure district officials are notified promptly.
  • If a driver approaches a bus stop and sees ICE activity, they do not stop. Instead, they continue driving, pull over at a safe location, and immediately notify dispatch.

Learning options 

Please be assured, our focus remains on educating each and every student, and ensuring safe spaces for learning, care and connection. 

  • Online pathways have been developed for students who do not feel safe to come to school. Normally, middle and high school students could utilize 279Online but it is currently at capacity. Please learn about the additional options under the New temporary online learning options header below. 

Field trips/activities coming up 

  • Field trips will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure a safe learning environment continues to be expected. 
  • Activities will continue as planned. 

Our support is always human-centric 

Through our standard practices, the district offers:

  • Mental health support for students through district staff and community partnerships.
  • Student, staff and family resources from numerous community agencies.
  • Safe spaces for students to share concerns.
  • An intentional commitment to educators developing meaningful relationships that build trust, understanding and community.
  • Tip-line reporting available to all students and staff members through STOPit. 

Some of our schools are also providing unique family supports that they are sharing.

Possible scenarios and action that would be taken

All responses follow district security protocol for emergency situations.

  • Scenario: If ICE is near or adjacent to our campus 
  • Response: Notify building administration. No other action needs to be taken. Administration will evaluate if Secure Protocol needs to be enacted at the building based on proximity and other factors. If Secure Protocol is required, families will receive a communication from the school.
  • Scenario: If ICE is on campus 
  • Response: Notify building administration who will immediately move the building to a Secure Protocol. In addition, the building administrator will contact the district’s General Counsel or Assistant Director of Security & Emergency Management. If Secure Protocol is required, families will receive a communication from the school.
  • Scenario: If ICE is seeking/requesting entry to the building
  • Response: Notify building administration who will immediately move the building to a Secure Protocol. In addition, the building administrator will contact the district’s General Counsel or Assistant Director of Security & Emergency Management. If Secure Protocol is required, families will receive a communication from the school.
  • Scenario: If ICE arrives on or near campus during arrival or dismissal times
  • Response: Staff are instructed to bring all students inside of the building immediately as well as to notify building administration who will immediately move the building to a Secure Protocol. In addition, the building administrator will contact the district’s General Counsel or Assistant Director of Security & Emergency Management. Families will receive communication from the school.

New temporary online learning options

Families interested in temporary alternative learning option were asked to fill out a form. Our Learning and Achievement team has been connecting with interested families to discuss next steps in transitioning student(s) to this new learning format. 

The temporary alternative learning options that will be offered to our students are as follows:

Elementary school 
A temporary online elementary school program has been created and started. It's a mix of live online instruction (synchronous) via Google Meet and individual assignments (asynchronous) via Seesaw. More information on the specific learning schedule is being shared with families that sign up. Also of note, students in this temporary program will remain enrolled at their current school. 

Middle school 
Normally, middle school families could attend 279Online. At this time, however, it’s at capacity. A temporary online middle school program has been created. It's mostly a synchronous learning structure via virtual meeting platforms (Google Meet and/or Teams) and Schoology. More information is being shared with families that sign up. Also of note, students in this temporary program will remain enrolled at their current school.

High school 
Normally, high school families could attend 279Online. At this time, however, it’s at capacity. A temporary online high school program has been created. It's mostly a synchronous learning structure via virtual meeting platforms (Google Meet and/or Teams) and Schoology. More information is being shared with families that sign up. Also of note, students in this temporary program will remain enrolled at their current school. 

Specialized learning programs (English Learner, Special Education)
All of these learning options will include direct services designed to meet the individual needs of students receiving support through English Learner and Special Education programs. Details will be shared with families that choose to participate. 

Attendance procedures
Online attendance is measured by coursework activity each week. This would include logging into learning platforms (Google Meet, Seesaw and/or Schoology), completing course activities and assignments, and/or communicating with the instructor through course messaging and/or email. Teachers will then submit attendance every Monday.

District-provided technology
Students will utilize their assigned Chromebook or iPad to access educational materials for each of these online learning options. If a student isn’t currently in possession of their district-provided device, arrangements will be made to get it to them. This would also be the case for any families needing an internet hotspot. Specifics will be worked out directly with each family.

Please note, these devices offer a high level of privacy and security – more than a traditional personal device. 

Early learning and Adult Basic Education programming
Families participating in Early Childhood & Family Education (EC&FE) will need to reach out to the program to learn about online or at-home learning options, and the supports available alongside them (eg. technology, etc). 

Families participating in Voluntary Pre-K (tuition free pre-kindergarten) should reach out to their school or teacher for online or at-home learning options, and the supports available alongside them (eg. technology, etc).  

Adult Basic Education students can continue with HyFlex Learning and choose to come to class in-person or join the same class online from home. 

Community resources

Meals
The following community food resources are available: 

Housing

Energy assistance

Mental health
Local organizations and providers 

Culturally-specific resources

Substance abuse and mental health

Frequently asked questions

What is the role of schools regarding immigration enforcement?
Public schools do not enforce immigration laws. Our responsibility is to educate all students, regardless of their immigration status, in line with federal and state laws and judicial precedent. Schools are safe spaces for learning and growth.

Can Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents come to schools?
ICE agents generally do not come to schools. If ICE does come to a school or district building, they must have a warrant or order signed by an appropriate judicial authority. General Counsel must be contacted to review and provide direction. 

What happens if ICE or law enforcement requests student information?
“Directory information,” that is public information includes names and schools attended, unless parents opt out of this disclosure. For any additional information, law enforcement must present a warrant, court order, or subpoena. These requests should be forwarded to the General Counsel for handling and ensuring families are notified as required. .

Are undocumented students allowed to attend public schools?
Yes. Under the Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe decision, all children, including undocumented students, have the right to attend public schools. Schools cannot deny admission based on immigration status, ask for documents that could reveal immigration status, or engage in actions that would discourage attendance.

What should educators do if law enforcement arrives to speak with a student?
If law enforcement, including ICE, comes to a school to question a student, the principal will follow District Policies 519. This includes limiting access to the student during school hours, contacting parents or guardians, and consulting with the General Counsel. The goal is to protect the student’s rights and ensure proper legal procedures are followed.

ICE may contact a school if a parent or guardian has been detained to ensure the student has support and services. Schools can contact General Counsel with questions on how to work with ICE and other agencies in these situations. 

How can educators support students and families impacted by immigration issues?

  • Create a welcoming environment: Avoid actions that might make students or families feel unwelcome.
  • Share resources: Inform families about district-hosted events and available community resources. 
  • Encourage preparation: Help families update emergency contacts and prepare guardianship documents if separations occur.
  • Be alert: Address bullying or discrimination based on national origin and report incidents according to school policies.

What support is available for students facing immigration-related challenges?
In keeping with our standard practices, the district offers:

  • Mental health support for students.
  • Resources from community agencies.
  • Safe spaces for students to share concerns.

English Learner Program staff are also available to connect families with needed resources.

What are the key terms I should understand?
Refugee

  • Status: Refugees are granted legal protection after fleeing violence, war, or persecution.
  • Rights: Refugees receive protections under U.S. and international law. They can apply for lawful permanent residency and citizenship.
  • Temporary Protection: Refugees may return to their home country if conditions improve, but they are generally protected from deportation in the U.S.

Asylum Seeker

  • Status: Asylum seekers are individuals who apply for protection at a U.S. border or after entering the country but are waiting for their claims to be legally approved.
  • Rights: Asylum seekers are not guaranteed refugee status and must meet legal criteria to gain protection. They have limited rights while their application is pending.

Immigrant

  • Status: Immigrants are individuals who move to a new country permanently through a legal process. Many become lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and, eventually, citizens.
  • Rights: Immigrants have legal protections under U.S. law and can return to their home country at any time.

Migrant

  • Status: Migrants are people who move within or across borders, often for economic reasons, without the same legal protections as refugees or immigrants.
  • Rights: Migrants do not have specific legal protections related to immigration status and are subject to immigration laws of the countries they enter.

Reminder to staff: Every student deserves a safe, supportive environment to learn and grow. If you have concerns or questions about a specific situation, please contact your building administrator for support. Building leaders please contact General Counsel, Amy Moore for guidance on any concerns within or beyond the information in this document. Together, we can uphold the rights and dignity of all our students and families.

Español: 1-855-891-8364, Lus Hmoob: 1-844-577-9549, русский: 1-855-891-5321, Soomaali: 1-855-891-5322 or Tiếng Việt: 1-855-891-8365