Your Rights, Immigration, and Resources at Austin ISD

Austin ISD supports all our students, families, and staff members.

Q: I have been approached by Austin ISD families and staff members looking for information about immigration and support services. What resources are available?

• Austin ISD provides various resources for immigrant students and their families. Parent Support Specialists and Communities in Schools staff are available on campus to assist families. and Austin ISD employees have access to employee assistance programs.
• The Council of the Great City Schools, of which Austin ISD is a member, published resources to provide additional information and general guidance.

Q: What if I, or someone I care about, is currently employed by Austin ISD, but is here working under a visa or another employment authorization? Are our jobs at risk?

A: Austin ISD employs staff from various countries to best serve our students and families. These employees are legally authorized to work for Austin ISD, and we support them as we do all employees. Our Talent Strategy Department is available to answer questions, address concerns, or review employment information with our team members. Please call 512-414-1721 to speak to a Talent Strategy representative.

Q: I am an Austin ISD parent. Does my, or my child’s, immigration status impact his or her access to public education?

A: Undocumented children and children of undocumented parents have the same right to attend Austin ISD as do other U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Austin ISD does not collect immigration information about our students or families because it does not change our obligation to educate. Citation: Plyer vs. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982)

Q: Does Austin ISD provide immigration information to federal immigration officials?

A: No, we do not collect this information and, therefore, have nothing to provide or withhold.

Q: I have a student at Austin ISD, and I am worried that he or she will be bullied or harassed because of what is happening nationally. What should I do?

A: Austin ISD prohibits acts of harassment of any kind, including harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other conduct prohibited by law, including bullying or harassment carried out via electronic forms of communication (e.g., cyberbullying via social network sites). Should you believe that you have been subjected to harassment, report the harassment immediately to the 1) Campus administrator or the 2) District’s Title IX Coordinator.

Q: I work for Austin ISD, and an outside group has asked me to distribute documents to my students. What resources, if any, can be given to students?

A: It is important to highlight the difference between making resources available versus distributing information. You can make a variety of resources including literature, brochures, and pamphlets available at your campus on a public information table or bulletin board. The requesting groups should provide sufficient copies of their information to be displayed.

If the group requests materials be sent home with all students, there needs to be more vetting. For these requests, please contact your campus principal or supervisor.

Q: I work at an Austin ISD school. What should I do if a law enforcement officer comes to a school?

A: If officers, including ICE officers, come to the campus, you are able to request ID and proof they have obtained permission to conduct enforcement at a school, such as a written directive by a superior or a signed warrant. Some officers may not necessarily come in an easily identifiable uniform. You are able to request if they are conducting a lawful investigation. You are able to request to see any paperwork they may have to search a certain area or arrest a person. Please notify an AISD Police Officer and the Superintendent's Office immediately if another law enforcement officer is attempting to access the campus.

Q: What is the AISD policy for students who are in crisis due to a parent or guardian being deported or incarcerated?

A: Please follow these steps:

1. Administrator and counselor verify by contacting the parent, guardian, or other family members listed on the AISD emergency contact;
2. In the event the administrator/counselor is not able to make contact and the student is left on campus, the campus administrator would contact the Austin ISD Police Department;
3. Austin ISD Police would use district student profile to attempt to locate a family member;
4. If Austin ISD Police cannot locate a family member or individual listed as an emergency contact then the AISD Police Department would contact Child Protective Services;
5. Campus counselor and AISD Police collaboratively support the student as they await for CPS to arrive;
6. During this waiting time, the campus counselor provides one-on-one counseling and reviews stress/anxiety management steps with the student; and
7. The campus counselor can ask the student if there are other willing adult supports that the student can share the names of with the CPS counselor.

The following steps should be followed to support the student when and/or if the student returns to school:

1. Campus counselors provide individual or small group counseling and/or refer to other counseling support on campus (i.e., CIS);
2. Counselor completes the AISD Safety Plan with the individual student;
3. Safety Plan defines an individual plan when and/or if the student begins to feel stress and anxiety while at school;
4. Safety Plan will identify at least two willing school support staff;
5. Safety Plan will identify at least two willing adult supports outside of school;
6. Safety Plan will list counseling support hotline number and
7. Obtain permission from students to share the individual safety plan with their teachers.