Schools should consider the following for all students, not just those who are undocumented:
• Update all emergency contact information. Make sure students have at least one emergency contact that is not a parent or primary caretaker and who has permission to pick up students if their primary caregivers are not reachable or available.
• Register your child’s birth. If a child is a US citizen, make sure families have a copy of their birth certificate. If a child is not a US citizen, recommend families register their birth at the proper consulate.
• Create a family safety plan. Families should create a written plan that details what should happen to their children if they are deported. They should also include who should manage their home, bank account, and other assets in their absence; a list of medical issues for each family member and medication; and copies of important documents like mortgages or leases, medical histories, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, tax returns, and bank statements. These should be stored in a safe place, and families should let children know where they are.
• Let trusted adults know what is happening. In addition to a trusted caretaker named in a safety plan, ask 2-3 adults you trust to help protect children and care for them in case caregivers are unable to do so. Let these adults know how to find families in case they are detained, how to help children access their home and other belongings, and who to contact for questions about caring for children.
