Immigration Policy & Resources

San Francisco, A Sanctuary City

California, San Francisco, and SFUSD are and will always be sanctuaries committed to standing up for immigrant communities. We want all of our students, caregivers, and staff to be prepared and know their rights. 

The City’s Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs at 415-581-2360, or online at https://immigrants.sfgov.org/, continues to offer support and resources.

Update on Public Charge Rules for Immigrants

On March 9, 2021, the Biden Administration dropped its defense of Trump’s proposed changes to the public charge rule.

The longstanding 1999 “field guidance” on public charge will apply effective immediately, making it safe for immigrants and their families to use health, nutrition, and housing programs they qualify for. Health care programs, including Medicaid and COVID care, housing, food programs, and many other vital services are once again safe to use. - Immigrant Legal Resource Center

For more information on the current public charge rules, review this Summary & FAQ.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA)

DACA was created in 2012 to give some undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children temporary protection from deportation and access to a work permit. 

On December 4, 2020, a federal judge rescinded the July 2020 memorandum that limited the DACA program. This decision means that, for now, new DACA applications, renewals, and advance parole requests will be accepted, and DACA protections and work permits will be extended to two years.

  • For more information on the DACA requirements, go to the Immigrant and Legal Resource Center's DACA page.
  • For a list of all SF-based providers who will provide DACA application services for free, go to Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs' (OCEIA) DACA webpage. Free DACA workshop on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, 2 - 5:30 pm; register here.
  • For DACA fee assistance, go to Mission Asset Fund's DACA fee assistance program to pre-apply online. For more details, review the outreach toolkit.
  • For current and former SFUSD students, email transcripts@sfusd.edu for your transcript records. There is no transcript fee for DACA applicants (link to more transcript information).

Legal Consults

If you are concerned about possible interactions with immigration officials, please consult with an attorney. Legal Service Providers:

Know Your Rights and Family Emergency Toolkit

The San Francisco Immigrant Legal and Education Network website offers resources regarding constitutional rights and engaging with law enforcement as well as support for families in creating a plan in case of detention and/or deportation. 

Rapid Response Network

Many counties in the Bay Area, including San Francisco, have 24 hour multilingual hotlines to investigate possible activities by immigration officials in the community and to support you through any interaction with immigration. These Rapid Response Networks will send out a team of legal advocates to a location to offer legal advocacy. 

  • If you suspect or see ICE officials in your neighborhood or at your home, please call your area’s rapid response hotline. 
  • If you, a friend, or family member is arrested, please call the rapid response hotline.
  • The San Francisco Rapid Response hotline - (415) 200-1548; here are steps to consider when calling.

SFUSD Refugee and Immigrant Supports in Education (RISE-SF)

RISE-SF ​is charged with increasing access to education for all immigrant and refugee students through the promotion of culturally and linguistically inclusive programs and services.

Newcomer Programming

Newly arrived refugee and immigrant English Language Learners have particular educational strengths and challenges that necessitate specific supports and programming. RISE-SF supports schools in implementing promising practices for this community.

Sanctuary Education

As a sanctuary school district, SFUSD upholds every young person’s constitutional right to feel safe and supported in school. RISE-SF supports schools in ensuring their communities are aware of their rights and prepared to defend them.

Contacts

  • District Coordinator: Angelina Romano, MSW/PPS | RomanoA@sfusd.edu | 415.890.5324                  
  • Newcomer Services Coordinator: Susana Rivero | RiveroS@sfusd.edu | 415.919.8184

RISE-SF

Request an Interpreter

SFUSD school staff, including teachers, have access to simultaneous phone interpreters through Language Line. Please ask teachers and staff for a Language Line interpreter if you need one. 

This page was last updated on October 29, 2021