Sanctuary Spaces: How Women-Led Nonprofits Can Protect Immigrant Students from ICE Enforcement

"Wellness checks" often turn into something else

In recent months, reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entering schools under the pretext of “wellness checks” have sent shockwaves through immigrant communities nationwide. As women nonprofit leaders, many of us work directly with vulnerable populations and understand the fear these actions create. Today, we’re addressing this urgent issue with practical strategies to protect the communities you serve.

Understanding the Current Crisis

ICE operations in educational settings represent a significant departure from longstanding federal policies that have traditionally designated schools as “sensitive locations” where enforcement actions should be limited. Laura Vazquez from UnidosUS notes that these incursions not only traumatize children but fundamentally disrupt the educational mission of schools serving immigrant communities.

For nonprofits working with immigrant populations, this shift demands immediate attention and action. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do.

Know the Legal Framework

Before diving into action steps, it’s essential to understand the legal landscape:

• Sensitive Locations Memo: ICE’s own policy generally restricts enforcement actions at schools, hospitals, places of worship, and public demonstrations without special approval.

• Plyler v. Doe: This Supreme Court decision established that all children, regardless of immigration status, have the right to public education.

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): This federal law protects the privacy of student education records, limiting what information schools can share without consent.

5 Actionable Steps for Nonprofit Leaders

1. Educate Your Staff and Community

What to do:

• Host “Know Your Rights” workshops for families in your community

• Create multilingual information cards that fit in a wallet

• Train your staff on proper protocols if ICE agents appear at your facility

“Education is protection,” says immigration attorney Maria Gonzalez. “When families know their rights, they’re less likely to face rights violations during encounters with immigration authorities.”

2. Build School-Community Partnerships

Schools may not know how to respond to ICE presence. Your nonprofit can bridge this gap:

• Offer to create emergency response protocols for local schools

• Help develop communication systems to alert families about potential ICE activity

• Facilitate relationships between school administrators and immigration legal services

3. Create Documentation Systems and Safety Plans

Families need concrete plans:

• Help parents create and practice family safety plans that include:

• Emergency contacts

• Childcare arrangements

• Location of important documents

• Powers of attorney for childcare

• Document any enforcement actions that occur for potential legal challenges

4. Develop Rapid Response Networks

When enforcement actions occur, time is critical:

• Create phone trees or secure messaging groups

• Identify legal observers who can document enforcement actions

• Connect with pro bono immigration attorneys for emergency consultation

• Establish a community bond fund to assist with potential detention cases

5. Advocate for Policy Change

While direct service is crucial, systemic change requires advocacy:

• Meet with local school boards to strengthen sanctuary policies

• Work with city councils to limit cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE

• Join coalitions advocating for federal policy reform

• Document impacts of enforcement actions to share with policymakers and media

Special Considerations for Women-Led Organizations

As women leaders, we often bring unique perspectives to this work:

Leverage relationship-building strengths: Women nonprofit leaders often excel at creating trust-based relationships across diverse stakeholder groups. Use these skills to build coalitions between affected families, schools, legal services, and advocacy organizations.

Address gender-specific concerns: Immigration enforcement can have disproportionate impacts on women, who often serve as primary caregivers. Ensure your support services account for childcare needs during legal consultations and consider the specific vulnerabilities women face in detention.

Model trauma-informed leadership: Communities facing immigration enforcement experience significant trauma. Apply trauma-informed approaches in all your programming and organizational culture.

Funding Your Immigration Support Work

This vital work requires resources. Consider these funding approaches:

• Community foundations: Many have established rapid response funds for immigration issues

• Legal service funds: Organizations like the Vera Institute provide funding for immigration legal services

• Collaborative fundraising: Partner with other organizations to approach major donors jointly

• Corporate partnerships: Some corporations have established funds specifically for immigrant rights work

Sustaining Yourself and Your Team

This work is emotionally demanding. As a leader, prioritize:

• Regular debriefs after difficult situations

• Clear boundaries around work hours

• Mental health support for staff

• Celebrating small victories

“The work of protecting immigrant communities is a marathon, not a sprint,” reminds Dr. Anita Ravi, who specializes in trauma-informed care. “Sustainable activism requires sustainable practices.”

Moving Forward Together

The challenges facing immigrant communities require our strongest response as nonprofit leaders. By combining practical support services, legal knowledge, and advocacy work, women-led nonprofits are uniquely positioned to create meaningful change.

Remember that this work happens in community. No single organization can do it all, but together, we can create networks of protection and support that make a real difference for vulnerable families.