Immigration Resources

CPS remains committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment that protects the rights of all students, regardless of where they or their families were born.

Protecting CPS Students, Staff and Families

The U.S. Supreme Court established in the 1982 case Plyer v. Doe that children cannot be denied a free public education based on their immigration status or their family’s immigration status. This protects the right to education for all students.

On January 21, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it would end a longstanding federal policy that placed restrictions on the conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as it relates to schools. Under the longstanding policy, schools were considered “sensitive locations,” where ICE agents were restricted from carrying out enforcement actions, with some exceptions. While the Department of Homeland Security has not yet released text of the new policy, the announcement states that ICE agents should use "common sense" when carrying out enforcement actions.

Regardless of this policy change, CPS will continue to actively protect students, staff, and their families. In accordance with the Illinois Trust Act and Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance, CPS:

DOES NOT ask for our families' immigration status
WILL NOT coordinate with federal immigration enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
DOES NOT share student records with ICE or any other federal representatives, except in the rare case where there is a court order or consent from the parent/guardian
WILL NOT allow ICE agents or any other federal representatives access to CPS facilities unless they produce a criminal judicial warrant signed by a federal judge

CPS has provided detailed guidance to school leaders and the appropriate school-based staff regarding interactions with ICE, and is actively providing training to support this guidance.

While CPS is doing everything we can to ensure school property remains a safe place for all students, we also recognize that families are feeling anxiety about immigration enforcement actions when outside of the home or school. We encourage families to explore the resources on this page, attend an upcoming Know Your Rights training, and explore immigration services in your area if necessary.

Resources for Families

Downloadable Student and Family Resource Packet (September 2025) [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]

NOTE: This information is provided for general awareness only and should not be considered legal advice. Those with specific questions about their rights should consult an attorney.

You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions if stopped by federal agents or law enforcement — even if there is a warrant.
You do not have to share your birthplace, your immigration or citizenship status, or the birthplace or status of anyone else.
You are not required to consent to a search (please be aware that local police do have the right to pat you down if they reasonably suspect a weapon).
You do not need to let any agent into your home unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.
If stopped on the street, you have the right to ask if you are free to leave.

Illinois Coalition for Immigration and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Family Support Network and Hotline [ English | Spanish ]

The purpose of the ICIRR Family Support Network (FSN) is to connect immigrant communities throughout Illinois to a full range of support in collaboration with member organizations

Know Your Rights Resource Guide [ English | Spanish | French ]

The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMMR) has issued a Know Your Rights Resource Guide, which includes critical information about legal services and hotlines, key protections like the Welcoming City Ordinance, emergency family planning resources, healthcare options for all, including undocumented individuals, and details about how to recognize and report hate crimes and hate incidents.

City of Chicago's Know Your Rights Flyer [ English ]

Know and Exercise Your Rights [ English, Korean ]

This resource provided by the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), showing students and families how they can protect themselves and defend their rights

Refugee Rights Rights Card [ English, Spanish | Mandarin, Polish ]

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Rights Card can be printed out and easily carried.

Know Your Rights Fact Sheet [ English | Polish | Spanish ]

The Illinois Attorney General's website provides critical information that can help students and families protect themselves and defend their rights.

This resource provided by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) shows actions that families can take to prepare themselves.

List of Non-profit Agencies Offering Immigration Assistance [ English ]

The Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) has created this list of dozens of local non-profit agencies providing free or low-cost assistance with immigration matters and forms, including:

Family Visa Petitions (I-130)
VAWA - Battered Spouse Self-petitions (I-360)
Adjustment of Status/Residence/Consular Processing (I-485, OF-230)
Waivers of Inadmissibility (I-212, I-601)
Conditional Residence (I-751)
Green Card Replacement (I-90)
Naturalization (N-400)
Acquired/Derivative Citizenship (N-600)
DACA (I-821D)
Asylum (I-589)
Deportation Defense

With reports of more federal agents heading to Chicago, here are some ways CPS students and families can stay safe traveling to-and-from school, and moving within the community.

Tips for Traveling

Plan Ahead. Before leaving home, know your walking path. If your school has a Safe Passage route, try to use it. There are trusted adults along these paths to help keep families safe. Visit cps.edu/safepassage for a map of Safe Passage routes in Chicago. On days when there are a lot of people protesting or lots of police or military presence, try to walk straight to and from school and avoid stopping at other places.
Travel With Friends and Family. It’s safer to travel with friends and family members than traveling alone. Families can walk with a large group, creating a “Walking School Bus.” Visit walkingschoolbus.org for information. Families can also carpool or use a buddy system on public transportation to stay safe.
Stay Visible. Walk on streets that are busy and have lots of lights. Don't take shortcuts through dark alleys or quiet, empty places.
Know Where to Find Help. Find places you can go if you feel unsafe. You can go inside buildings like a library, a church, a firehouse, or a police station. Community centers and Chicago Park District fieldhouses are also good places to find trusted adults who can help. Figure out where these places are in your neighborhood in case you need to use them. If you do not feel safe walking to and from school, reach out to your school counselor or a trusted adult at the school you have a relationship with.
Stay In Touch. Make sure your family members know your plans. Tell them where you're going and who you will be with. If you have a cell phone, keep it charged and on so your family can reach you. Families can also create a block or neighborhood phone or text tree to share information quickly.
Stay Alert. Keep your eyes and ears open! Don't listen to music too loud in your headphones and try not to look down at your phone while you're walking. Stay focused on what's happening around you.

CPS has created resources for students from mixed-status families and for undocumented students who are completing federal and state financial aid applications for post-secondary education.

Post-Election Support for Immigrant Youth and Families in Illinois [ English ]

Trainings and Workshops

Date	Event Description
Tuesdays at 2 p.m.	The Resurrection Project will be hosting bi-weekly virtual Know Your Rights workshops. Tuesday sessions will be in English. REGISTER
Thursdays at 6 p.m.	The Resurrection Project will be hosting bi-weekly virtual Know Your Rights workshops. Thursday sessions will be in Spanish. REGISTER
Every Thursday in September at 6 p.m.	Family Preparedness Workshops: The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights, in collaboration with the Resurrection Project and Legal Protection Fund partners, will be hosting Family Preparedness workshops in English and Spanish. Register
Thursday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m.	The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights, in collaboration with the Resurrection Project and Legal Protection Fund partners, will be hosting a virtual Family Preparedness Plan workshop. This session will be in English and Spanish. REGISTER
Friday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m.	Palenque LSNA will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 4 Parent University. This session will be in English and Spanish. REGISTER
Friday, Sept. 19, 12 p.m.	The Southwest Organization Project (SWOP) will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 10 Parent University. This session will be in English and Spanish. VIRTUAL MEETING
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 1 p.m.	Mi Villita Neighbors will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 13 Pullman Parent University. This session will be in Spanish. VIRTUAL MEETING
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 12 p.m.	The Brighton Park Neighborhood Council will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 8 Back of the Yards Parent University. This session will be in Spanish. VIRTUAL MEETING
Thursday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m.	The CPS Network 1 Parent University will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop at Cleveland Elementary, located at 3121 W Byron St. This session will be in English and Spanish.
Thursday, Sept. 25, 6 p.m.	The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights, in collaboration with the Resurrection Project and Legal Protection Fund partners, will be hosting a virtual Family Preparedness Plan workshop. This session will be in English and Spanish. REGISTER
Friday, Sept. 26, 12 p.m.	The Office of Family and Community Engagement, in collaboration with the National Immigration Justice Center, will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights workshop. This session will be in Spanish. REGISTER
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m.	The CPS Network 12 Parent University will be hosting a hybrid Know Your Rights workshop at South Shore High School, located at 1955 E 75th ST. This session will be in English and Spanish. VIRTUAL MEETING
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 1 p.m.	Mi Villita Neighbors will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 13 Pullman Parent University. This session will be in English. VIRTUAL MEETING
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 12 p.m.	The Brighton Park Neighborhood Council will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 8 Back of the Yards Parent University. This session will be in Spanish. VIRTUAL MEETING
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m.	Enlace will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 7 Pilsen/Little Village Parent University. This session will be in Spanish. VIRTUAL MEETING
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m.	Enlace will be hosting a hybrid Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 7 Pilsen/Little Village Parent University, located at Perez Elementary at 2001 S Throop St. This session will be in Spanish. VIRTUAL MEETING
Thursday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m.	Communities United will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop through the Network 1 Parent University at Cleveland Elementary, located at 3121 W Byron St. This session will be in Spanish.
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m.	Enlace will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 7 Pilsen/Little Village Parent University. This session will be in Spanish. VIRTUAL MEETING

Immigration Resources

Find information about immigrant rights, legal resources, and trainings and workshops from Chicago organizations.

Families of Immigrant Students: A Message From Interim Superintendent/CEO Dr. Macquline King

Protecting CPS Students, Staff and Families

Resources for Families

Trainings and Workshops