Immigrant Rights - Mastery Schools

Immigrant Rights

Mastery's Commitment to Immigrant, Undocumented, and Mixed-Status Families

We believe that all students deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential, and we are committed to providing immigrant, undocumented, and mixed-status families with the support they need to succeed.

In 2024, our Board of Trustees passed a resolution declaring all Mastery campuses as safe zones for students and families threatened by immigration enforcement. This resolution, which reaffirms Mastery’s belief in the constitutional right to education, states that Mastery staff will not:

  • Inquire about or record a student’s or family member’s immigration status,
  • Disclose the immigration status of any student, 
  • Allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into its schools until and unless required by a judicial court order and approved by the Chief Schools Officer,
  • Or voluntarily share information with immigration agents. 

It is our hope that this resolution, along with our efforts to provide counseling, training, equitable academic opportunities and services, and referrals for legal support, will help ensure that all Mastery campuses make immigrant families feel valued, safe, supported, and welcomed. 

Helpful resources for immigrant families are outlined below. We will update this page often. If you have any questions about any of the content on this page, please contact Mastery’s Multilingual Education team at [email protected]. If you need immediate support for your student or your family, please contact the front desk at your student’s school. 

Know Your Rights Trainings

Watch the family education series on YouTube to learn more about your rights at school, at home, and in public.

Recommended Actions

We recommend that all immigrant, undocumented, and mixed-status families take the steps outlined below to ensure preparedness should an issue arise. 

  • Watch the training videos above to know your rights at home, school, and in public.
  • Complete a family emergency plan using the templates below provided by ImmSchools and store it in a safe place.
  • Print a red card, which can help you assert your rights if you are confronted by an immigration agent or other law enforcement, and carry it on you at all times.
  • Identify an organization or individual you can call if you need legal support. 

Recommended Resources

  • Federal
    • Plyler v Doe holds that states cannot constitutionally deny students a free public education on account of their immigration status.
    • Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents the right to have access to their children’s education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records.
  • PA executive orders
    • Executive Order 8-09 (2009) ensures all city services are available to residents, regardless of their immigration status. The order also prohibits city employees, including law enforcement, from inquiring about your immigration status.
    • Executive Order 5-16 (2016) restricts city officials from honoring ICE requests for detainment without a judicial warrant and limits the type of information that can be shared about immigrants in immigration custody.
    • Executive Order 7-16 (2016) requires all city offices and agencies to implement Language Access Plans to make government services accessible to residents whose native languages are not English.
  • NJ executive orders
    • The Immigrant Trust Directive (2018) limits the voluntary assistance law enforcement officers can provide to federal immigration authorities. Its purpose is to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and immigrant communities. 
    • Executive Order No. 74 (2019) established the Office of New Americans to support immigrants and refugees in the state.
    • The Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights Act (2024) establishes rights and employment protections for domestic workers, regardless of immigration status. This act ensures fair treatment and worker safety.
  • TheDream.US is the nation’s largest college and career success program for undocumented immigrant youth.
  • Golden Door Scholars provides large college scholarships for undocumented students, investing in undergraduate education and career access for high-performing students.
  • Posse Foundation helps students transition to college, including undocumented students. The foundation’s model is based on the idea that small, diverse groups of students can help each other develop. 
  • Questbridge connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with a thriving community and transformative educational, career, and life opportunities that help propel them to lives of fulfillment, meaning, and purpose.
  • Immigrants Rising strives to increase educational access and opportunities for undocumented people through institutional policy changes and direct support to empower educators, students, and communities. 

Contact

If you have any questions about any of the content on this page, please contact Mastery’s Multilingual Education team at [email protected]. If you need immediate support for your student or your family, please contact the front desk at your student’s school.