Administrative Regulation - 5145.11

All law enforcement officers seeking access to a school site, student, or school records during school hours shall report to the principal or designee upon arrival and state the purpose of the visit.

The principal or designee shall:

1. Verify the officer’s identity and agency affiliation.
2. Request the legal basis for the officer’s presence or request.
3. Notify the Superintendent or designee, if applicable or necessary, when access to a student or records is requested.
4. Cooperate with lawful warrants, court orders, or exigent circumstances.
5. Avoid disruption to the educational program and protect student confidentiality to the extent permitted by law. School personnel shall not physically impede lawful actions of law enforcement officers. 

Staff Response to Immigration Officers on Campus

As early as possible, district personnel shall notify the Superintendent or designee of any request by an immigration officer seeking access to a school site, a student, or school records, including service of subpoenas, petitions, complaints, or warrants.

In addition to notifying the Superintendent or designee, district personnel shall take the following actions when an immigration officer is present on campus for immigration enforcement purposes:

1. Inform the officer that, absent exigent circumstances, school personnel must first receive direction from district administration before proceeding with the request.
2. Request and copy the officer’s credentials, including name, badge number, and agency.
3. Ask the officer to state and document the reason for being on school grounds.
4. Request and copy any documentation authorizing school access.
5. Retain copies of all documents provided by the officer for district records.

Exigent Circumstances

If the officer declares that exigent circumstances exist and demands immediate access:

• District personnel shall not physically impede the officer.
• Personnel shall comply with lawful orders.
• Personnel shall immediately notify the Superintendent or designee.

If exigent circumstances are not declared, personnel shall respond according to the documentation presented.

Type of Immigration Documentation

• Administrative Immigration Warrant (ICE): If the officer presents an administrative immigration warrant, personnel shall inform the officer that the district cannot consent to the request without consultation with district legal counsel or the Superintendent or designee.
• Federal Judicial Warrant: If the officer presents a federal judicial warrant (search or arrest warrant signed by a judge), prompt compliance is generally required. If feasible, personnel shall consult district legal counsel or the Superintendent or designee before providing access to the person or materials specified.
• Subpoena: If the officer presents a subpoena, immediate compliance is not required. Appropriate personnel shall forward the subpoena to district legal counsel and await instructions.

Officer Entry Without Consent

If an immigration officer enters campus without consent or appears to exceed authorization:

• Personnel shall not physically interfere
• Personnel shall document the officer’s actions while on campus
• If feasible, personnel shall accompany the officer
• The Superintendent or designee shall be notified immediately

Documentation After Encounter

Following any immigration enforcement interaction, district personnel shall promptly prepare written notes including:

• Officer credentials and contact information
• Identities of district personnel who communicated with the officer
• Details of the officer’s request
• Whether a warrant or subpoena was presented, its scope, and whether signed by a judge
• District response to the request
• Actions taken by the officer on campus
• Copies or photos of all documents presented

These notes and documents shall be provided to district legal counsel or the Superintendent or designee.

Governing Board and State Notification

The Superintendent or designee shall:

• Provide a timely report to the Board of Education regarding the officer’s request(s), actions, and the district’s response.
• Notify the California Department of Justice Bureau of Children’s Justice (BCJ@doj.ca.gov) of any attempt by immigration authorities to access a school site or student for immigration enforcement purposes.

Parent/Guardian Notification

District personnel shall obtain consent from the student’s parent/guardian before a student may be interviewed or searched by an immigration officer, unless the officer presents a valid judicial warrant or court order.

District personnel shall immediately notify the parent/guardian if an immigration officer requests or gains access to a student for immigration enforcement purposes, unless such disclosure is prohibited by a judicial warrant, subpoena, or court order.

Community Notification

When immigration enforcement presence is confirmed on campus, district or site personnel will notify the broader school community of the visit, to include the date and time enforcement was confirmed, location of the campus/school site, and a link to immigration-related resources. 

Legal Reference:

EDUCATION CODE
200–220 Prohibition of discrimination
234.7 Student protections relating to immigration enforcement
32210–32212 School safety and law enforcement access
49060–49076 Student records

PENAL CODE
627–627.10 Access to school grounds

GOVERNMENT CODE
7284–7284.12 California Values Act

UNITED STATES CODE
20 USC 1232g Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS
34 CFR 99 FERPA regulations

OTHER AUTHORITIES
California Attorney General, Promoting a Safe and Secure Learning Environment for All:   Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California’s K–12 Schools in Responding to Immigration Issues

Adopted: February 27, 2026