Immigrant Students and Families - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All students, regardless of immigration status, have a right to a free and equitable K–12 education, per the Plyler v. Doe U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Under most circumstances, by federal (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, FERPA) and state law, the district is prohibited from disclosing student information without parental consent.

Even if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents present a removal warrant (deportation order) to a school staff member, the district will generally refrain from providing student information.

If the district is served with a subpoena or court order disclosure may be required. In this case, district staff may be required to share information from a student’s educational record. The district follows all notification requirements prior to making any disclosures.

We prohibit discrimination or harassment of our students, families or employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin and many other protected classes.

• Report the behavior immediately to your school principal or staff member.
• File a complaint or concern using this form for bullying incidents or this form for any incident of discrimination on the basis of the items listed above.

Yes. Review additional information about  Pre-college programs. MMSD high schools share additional information about scholarship opportunities with students and families.

If you have additional questions about your rights, immigration enforcement, deportation, citizenship and/or DACA, we recommend contacting one of the many local or national organizations listed here for guidance and support.

For advice on specific immigration-related issues or concerns, please contact an immigration attorney. 

Key staff in schools are prepared to support the emotional well-being of all students regardless of immigration status. Feel free to contact your school principal, student services staff for resources that might support you. You can also contact our Multilingual Programs and Services at 608-663-8440. You do not need to disclose your immigration status to receive support services.

The U.S. has an agency called Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that enforces federal laws governing border control, customs, trade and immigration.

We have a policy that limits law enforcement activities in district schools. Law enforcement may not investigate or interview students in school without express permission to do so from a principal. Parental permission is also required in most circumstances.

We have in place a rapid response team that has created a protocol to support children and families in the event that we begin to see immigration enforcement actions in or around our schools.

Make sure that family members and students understand their rights. Feel free to contact your school principal, counselor or social worker for guidance on resources to support you.

Although we do not know at this time what approach federal authorities will take toward undocumented students and families, all MMSD students, regardless of immigration status, are valued members of our community and we are committed to ensuring that they are always welcome and safe in our schools. We always encourage students to attend school so as to not negatively impact their instructional time; however, we strongly support you in making the decision that is best for your child.

The U.S. Constitution grants citizenship to all people born in the U.S. regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

Staff at your schools are prepared to support the emotional well-being of all students regardless of immigration status. Feel free to contact your school principal, student services staff for resources that might support you. You can also contact our Office of Multilingual Programs and Services at 608-663-8440. You do not need to disclose your immigration status to receive support services.

If you have additional questions about your rights, immigration enforcement, deportation, citizenship and/or DACA, we recommend contacting one of the many local or national organizations listed here for guidance and support. For information on specific immigrant legal issues, please seek assistance from a reputable immigration lawyer. 

You can contact your school’s Bilingual Resource Specialist (BRS) to request interpretation services.