Know Your Rights | Immigration Resources for Families & Community
Oak Park Unified School District provides this information so families and students are aware of educational rights under federal and California law. These rights apply to every student, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
Your rights under federal and state law
All children in the United States have a constitutional right to equal access to a free public education.
Under California law:
- Students have the right to enroll and attend school without discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying based on actual or perceived nationality, ethnicity, or immigration status.
- Schools must accept a range of documents to establish proof of a child’s age and residency.
- A Social Security number is not required to enroll a child.
- Families are not required to provide information about citizenship or immigration status to enroll a student.
Confidentiality of student information
Federal and state laws protect student education records and personal information. Except as permitted or required by law, such as in response to a valid judicial subpoena, judicial warrant, or court order, schools must receive written parent or guardian consent before releasing student information.
Each year, families receive notice of the District’s student records and directory information policies, including the right to opt out of directory information release.
District policy on immigration enforcement
OPUSD Board Policy 1445 and Administrative Regulation 1445 describe how the District responds to requests related to immigration enforcement.
Unless required by state or federal law or presented with a valid judicial subpoena, judicial warrant, or court order, district staff do not:
- Collect or solicit information about the citizenship or immigration status of students or their family members.
- Disclose student education records or personal information.
- Disclose personal information about district employees.
- Grant permission for immigration enforcement officers to enter nonpublic areas of campuses, school buses, district facilities, or district-sponsored activities.
If an officer requests access to a student's records or nonpublic areas, staff will request identification and documentation, notify the Superintendent or designee, consult legal counsel, and provide parent notification as required by law.
- Board Policy 1445: Response To Immigration Enforcement
- Administrative Regulation 1445: Response To Immigration Enforcement
Family emergency planning
Families may update emergency contact information at any time. Schools use emergency contact information only in response to specific emergency situations.
Families may identify a trusted adult who can care for their child if a parent or guardian is detained or unavailable. Options may include completing a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit or seeking appointment of a temporary guardian.
Additional state resources
- California Attorney General Guidance and Model Policies for TK–12 Schools
- California Know Your Rights Portal
- New State Laws to Protect Immigrant Families (AB 49 and SB 98)
- Poster 1: Our Kids Have a Right to Education(PDF)
- Poster 2: Our Families Can Safely Enroll(PDF)
- Poster 3: We Keep Each Other Safe(PDF)
- Poster 4: Caregiver Affidavits(PDF)
- Poster 5: Mental Health Resources(PDF)
For questions or support, please contact your school principal or the District Office.
Oak Park Unified School District
5801 Conifer Street
Oak Park, CA 91377
818-735-3200