Resources and Guidance for Immigrant and LGBTQ+ Students and Families

At the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), we are committed to supporting our students, families, and staff, including our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, during this time of uncertainty. We understand that the recent change in federal administration has surfaced a number of concerns in these communities. Below, you will find resources and guidance to help our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities: 

Immigrant Students and Families: 

1) SFUSD Sanctuary Policy: SFUSD is a safe haven for all students regardless of citizenship status. Every student has the right to attend school regardless of the immigration status of the child or of the child’s family members. All students, if they meet the federal and state criteria, are entitled to receive school services including free/reduced price school meals, transportation and other educational services. More information is included in the Student and Family Handbook under Chapter 3.6.5.

2) Student and Family Communication: We strive to be mindful of how we communicate to families about reports related to potential ICE enforcement. We believe it is important to remain calm and only communicate known facts, and to focus on empowering students and families with information and resources. When large group notifications must go out, SFUSD contacts families by phone, email and text message using a system called SchoolMessenger, which is one of the most widely used communications tools for PreK-12 districts. We use the contact information from a family’s enrollment application, emergency cards and Family Portal (ParentVUE), and sometimes a school may ask families for updated contact information. SFUSD and SchoolMessenger do not share any of our students’ or families’ information, and we follow federal regulations on student and user privacy. Please make sure your contact information is up-to-date.

3) Rapid Response Network: Many counties in the Bay Area, including San Francisco, have a 24 hour multilingual hotline in place to investigate possible ICE activities in the community and to support individuals through ICE encounters. These Rapid Response Networks will send out a team of legal advocates to a location to offer legal support. If you, a student, caregiver, or community member suspects or sees ICE officials in the neighborhood or at their home, please advise them to call the San Francisco Rapid Response hotline at (415) 200-1548.

4) Legal Consults: If students and families have concerns regarding possible ICE arrests, we encourage you to consult with an attorney so you can be prepared in case of ICE contact and to determine if they are eligible for immigration relief. Here are some resources to find an attorney:

• City of San Francisco Immigrant Support website
• Bar Association of San Francisco: (415) 989-1616
• SF Rapid Response Network: (415) 200-1548

5) Know Your Rights: We want to make sure families are aware of their rights and have access to the resources they need. Here are some key things to remember: 

• If you or anyone you know is detained by ICE in San Francisco, call the Rapid Response 24-Hour Network Hotline: (415) 200-1548.
• Have a plan to take care of your children if you are detained. Make a plan with an adult family member or friend with legal authorization to be in the United States who you can contact in an emergency to take care of your child. As soon as you can, ask the ICE agent to let you call that person to take care of your child.
• Have the number of an immigration attorney with you. There is no right to a free attorney unless you are charged with a crime. There are organizations that can help you find low-cost or free immigration attorneys.

6) Welcoming School Climate: We strive to create a positive and welcoming school climate for all SFUSD students. Newly arrived refugee and immigrant English Language Learners have particular educational strengths and challenges that necessitate specific support and programming. RISE-SF supports schools in implementing promising practices for this community. We invite you to learn more about this program.

Please also review our updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding our sanctuary policy, and protocols for schools in the event that federal law enforcement comes to a campus. We will continue to add new information on our website when we have it.

LGBTQ+ Students and Families

Current state and local guidance regarding LGBTQ+ student rights as well as pedagogical best practices include:

• Treat all students equally. Prevent, and respond to reports of bullying, harassment, and discrimination, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression (SFUSD BP 5145.3; California Education Code Section 200-220).
• Provide LGBTQ-inclusive social studies, history, and comprehensive sexual health education (California Education Code Section 51204.5, and 51930-51939).
• Address students using the name and pronoun that reflects who they are and use language that respects that (SFUSD AR 5145.4; CA Ed Code Guidance).
• Provide access to school activities, spaces such as locker rooms and restrooms, and gender-neutral dress codes that fit with their affirmed gender identity (SFUSD AR 5145.4; California Education Code Section 221.5).
• Implement and provide access to gender-neutral single stall restrooms and supportive classroom practices (SFUSD Board Regulation 912-8A3).
• Allow students to decide when they are ready to initiate conversations about their gender and sexual orientation and with whom (SAFETY Act).

To learn more about LGBTQ+ school and community resources, please visit the SFUSD website.