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.

These protections apply regardless of the immigration status of the student, their parent, or guardian. 

Confidentiality of student information

Federal and state laws protect student education records and personal information. Except as permitted or required by law, including in response to a valid judicial warrant, judicial subpoena, 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 warrant, judicial subpoena, 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.
• Provide voluntary consent for access to school sites, records, or information

Administrative warrants issued by immigration agencies are not signed by a judge and do not authorize access to nonpublic areas or student records. 

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. Schools will use emergency contact information and parental instructions to arrange care if a parent or guardian is unavailable.

New California laws protecting students and families

Assembly Bill 49 (AB 49) - Safe Haven Schools Act  
Effective date: September 20, 2025
Compliance deadline: March 1, 2026AB 49 strengthens protections at school sites by limiting access by immigration enforcement and protecting student information. Under this law, immigration enforcement officers may not enter nonpublic areas of school campuses without a valid judicial warrant, judicial subpoena, or court order. Schools may not disclose student, family, or employee information to immigration authorities without written consent or a valid judicial warrant, judicial subpoena, or court order.

School districts are required to adopt written procedures for responding to immigration enforcement requests, train staff on those procedures, and update policies by March 1, 2026. Districts must also follow requirements for documenting and reporting requests for access or information.

Senate Bill 98 (SB 98)- Immigration Enforcement: Notification    
Effective date: September 20, 2025
Compliance deadline: March 1, 2026
Sunset date: January 1, 2031SB 98 requires school districts to include procedures in their Comprehensive School Safety Plans to notify families, staff, and school personnel when immigration enforcement is confirmed on a school campus.

Notifications must include general information such as the date, time, and location of the activity, along with links to district resources. Notifications must not include any personally identifiable information.

These procedures must be implemented when safety plans are updated, or no later than March 1, 2026.

Assembly Bill 495 (AB 495)- Family Preparedness Plan Act
Effective date: January 1, 2026

AB 495 strengthens family preparedness and caregiver protections. The law expands who may complete a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit, allowing a broader range of relatives to enroll a child in school and consent to school-related medical care while parents retain legal custody.

The law also supports temporary caregiving arrangements if a parent becomes unavailable and reinforces the use of emergency contact information and parental instructions to ensure a child’s care.

AB 495 also extends protections by limiting the collection of immigration status information in early education programs and establishing reporting requirements for certain immigration-related requests.

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Additional state resources

In December 2025, the California Attorney General released updated guidance for TK–12 schools on responding to immigration enforcement and protecting student and family rights.

The District provides access to these resources, which are available in multiple languages provided by the Attorney General, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.

• California Attorney General Guidance and Model Policies for TK–12 Schools
• A quick reference for school officials in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog can be found here: English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
• A guide for students and families in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog can be found here: English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.

These resources are available here: https://oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources

• Poster 1: Our Kids Have a Right to Education(PDF)
  • Office Counter Card: Our Kids Have a Right to Education(PDF)
• Poster 2: Our Families Can Safely Enroll(PDF)
  • Office Counter Card: Our Families Can Safely Enroll(PDF)
• Poster 3: We Keep Each Other Safe(PDF)
  • Office Counter Card: We Keep Each Other Safe(PDF)
• Poster 4: Caregiver Affidavits(PDF)
  • Office Counter Card: Caregiver Affidavits(PDF)
• Poster 5: Mental Health Resources(PDF)
  • Office Counter Card: Mental Health Resources(PDF)

For questions or support, please contact your school principal or Director of Student Support and School Safety, Mr. Brad Benioff, at the District Office.

Oak Park Unified School District
5801 Conifer Street
Oak Park, CA 91377
818-735-3200