Talking to Children About Their Rights | Education Justice Alliance

Let them know that schools are supposed to protect them. Reassure them that no one should be asking about their immigration status, and teachers are not allowed to question them about their background.
If you won’t be home after school, tell your child exactly who is allowed to pick them up or meet them at the bus stop. Keep a list of trusted adults and their phone numbers in their backpack.
Practice calm, clear steps for what to do if ICE is mentioned at school or if they see police near school grounds. For example: “If anything feels scary or confusing, find a trusted adult, like your teacher or school counselor, and tell them right away.”
Prepare a simple script they can use if someone asks about their family or background: “I’m not sure. I’ll have to ask my parent.”
Remind them it’s not their job to answer questions from adults they don’t know. Let them know they can always say, “I don’t know,” and come find you later.
Reassure them you have a plan. Knowing that you’ve taken steps to keep them safe (like naming someone with Power of Attorney or creating a safety plan) can ease their anxiety.

EL futuro and Centro Unido Latinoamericano