Immigration & LOSD Families

Immigration status does not impact a student’s ability to enroll in and attend school, receive school meals and services, or participate in school activities.

No. LOSD does not ask for, require, or collect information about immigration status.

No. LOSD does not require a U.S. birth certificate. There are many ways families can verify a child’s age without a birth certificate.

No. Those questions on the district registration form are optional. Families may choose not to share that information and are not required to include it on their registration form.

Oregon law provides strong protections for students in schools. No outside agency, including immigration authorities, may access or speak with students without a valid arrest warrant or subpoena related to a specific criminal matter.

Additionally, local law enforcement agencies, including the Lake Oswego Police Department, do not collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on immigration enforcement. Oregon law prohibits state and local police from participating in federal immigration actions or honoring immigration detainers.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits the district from releasing student educational records without prior parental consent, except in limited circumstances, such as a legal order or subpoena, or with the signed consent of a parent/guardian.

Any subpoena from Immigration and Customs Enforcement must be verified by the Superintendent’s Office. The law also requires the district to make a reasonable effort to notify parents/guardians about a subpoena before producing any information, so the parent/guardian can object or seek protection from the subpoena.

Directory information refers to items of personally identifiable information contained in a student’s education record that are not generally considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released. Directory information may be released to the public through appropriate procedures.

Please see Policy JOA: Directory Information.

If you would like to opt your child out of directory information, please notify your school office in writing each year.

Students should report any harassment or bullying to school administrators or staff immediately. Students and families may also file a bias incident report online.

Schools do not confirm a student’s attendance or release students to any outside agency, except in limited circumstances, such as when the Department of Human Services (DHS) is involved due to concerns about child abuse in the student’s home, and only after the school has verified the identity and credentials of the agency representative.

Parents/guardians should ensure the school has up-to-date emergency contact information, including who has permission to pick up their child and who the school can contact in an emergency.

Parents/guardians may also want to create an emergency preparedness plan with their student and share it with the trusted adult listed as the student’s emergency contact.

Below is information provided by external organizations. LOSD does not sponsor or endorse the activities and/or information contained in these materials. LOSD has not vetted the information; it is provided for your convenience and review.

• Oregon Department of Education: Civil Rights Protections, Oregon's Sanctuary Law, Understanding Mixed-Status Families, Access to Higher Education
• ACLU Oregon: Know Your Rights
• ACLU Oregon: Immigration Rights
• Immigrant Legal Services' Little Red Card
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center: Public Charge Information 
• Latino Network: Protect your Family - Information for Oregon Families to Plan for Time of Unavailability
• Latino Network: Protect your Family - Information for Oregon Families to Plan for Time of Unavailability (Spanish Version)
• Our Community Plaza: Family Preparedness Packet and Know Your Rights Information (English & Spanish)

If students have concerns about their immigration status, they should speak with a trusted adult, such as a parent/guardian, counselor, or school administrator. Families may also seek legal advice from an immigration attorney.

LOSD school counselors can help students and families understand college options and the application process. Families may also consider contacting the admissions office of the college or program they are interested in.

Resources include:

• Oregon Department of Education: Civil Rights Protections, Oregon's Sanctuary Law, Understanding Mixed-Status Families, Access to Higher Education
• Repository of Resources for Undocumented Students