Immigration Frequently Asked Questions and Resources for Students and Families

A student's immigration status does not affect their right to a public education. Federal law guarantees all children the right to attend public school, regardless of their own immigration status or the immigration status of their parents.

No. Public school districts have an obligation to enroll students regardless of their immigration status and without discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin.

Develop and keep a “Family Safety Plan” in a safe place in case parents/guardians become unavailable due to arrest, detention, or some other reason.

This Emergency Plan is a comprehensive guide designed to assist families in creating personalized action plans in case of deportation or prolonged absence. It provides practical tools and advice on organizing critical documents, managing legal and financial matters, and developing communication strategies. This resource empowers families to navigate challenging circumstances with greater confidence and readiness.

At a minimum, the plan will include:

• Updating the student’s emergency contact information: Families should update students’ emergency contact information as needed throughout the school year and provide alternative contacts if no parent or guardian is available.
• Making childcare arrangements: Families should designate an adult to care for their child(ren). They should discuss this plan in detail with the child(ren) and seek counsel from a legal organization on legal guardianship.
• Organize important documents: Families and students should know where to find important documentation, such as birth certificates, passports, ID cards, doctors’ contact information, medication lists, and lists of allergies.

 If you believe you or your student has experienced discrimination or harassment, please report the incident immediately:

• Contact a school official: You can report the incident to a school administrator, counselor, teacher, or supervisor.
• Contact the District Compliance Officer: You can also report the incident directly to the District Compliance Officer by emailing: titleix@jeffco.k12.co.us
• File a formal complaint: You may file a formal complaint in person, by phone, email, or through the online form available on the district website.
• Reporting Procedures: Complaints and concerns should be filed in accordance with Board Policy JB-R1.

We take all reports of discrimination and harassment seriously. We are committed to ensuring that our schools provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.

As guided by federal law, and Board Policy JB, public schools do not ask for students’ immigration status and Jeffco’s legal office protects students’ constitutional and legal rights to keep their information private.

We encourage parents/guardians to make a personal plan to ensure there is an emergency contact in place in the event you are not available. Please take this opportunity to update your emergency contact information for your students either at your school or in the IC Parent Portal.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an administrative program that may provide certain benefits to eligible individuals who were brought to the United States as children. It's important to understand:

• DACA is an administrative program: It is subject to potential changes in government policy.
• Legal guidance: If you are a DACA recipient, it is advisable to consult with an immigration attorney on your immigration status.

View additional information on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

For reliable and accurate information regarding immigration matters, it is essential to consult with a qualified immigration attorney. You can locate an immigration attorney through the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which offers resources in both English and Spanish.

Jeffco Public Schools prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, and many other protected characteristics. This is in accordance with both federal and state laws. Our policies aim to create a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students and families.

We encourage parents/guardians to make a personal plan to ensure there is an emergency contact in place in the event you are not available. Please take this opportunity to update your emergency contact information for your students either at your school or in the IC Parent Portal.

Create a family preparedness plan. Use this template to help you get started

• At a minimum, the plan will include: 
  • Updating the student’s emergency contact information: Families should update students’ emergency contact information as needed throughout the school year and provide alternative contacts if no parent or guardian is available.
  • Making childcare arrangements: Families should designate an adult to care for their child(ren). They should discuss this plan in detail with the child(ren) and seek counsel from a legal organization on legal guardianship. 
  • Organize important documents: Families and students should know where to find important documentation, such as birth certificates, passports, ID cards, doctors’ contact information, medication lists, and lists of allergies. 

• Colorado Legal Services, Specialized Immigration Services
  • Free assistance to low-income individuals with VAWA/U/T visa applications throughout the state
• Catholic Charities of Denver - Immigration Legal Services
  • Services include representation in family visa processing, naturalization, TPS, SIV, green card renewal, asylum, and DACA. Additional offerings include translations, outreach, and educational materials.
• Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC)
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Naturalization/Citizenship
• The Center for Trauma & Resilience
  • Mi Gente VAWA Legal Solutions provides free immigration services, including U-Visas and VAWA petitions, along with crisis intervention, counseling, case management, support groups.
• Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN)
  • Help completing forms, fillings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews,Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration.
• Denver Legal Night Clinic at Centro San Juan Diego
  • Free legal consultations are available for immigration, credit, housing, employment, and family law. Legal Night takes place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• Legal Night at Mi Casa
  • Hours: 5:30pm to 7:00pm 3rd Tuesday of each month information legal education clinics. No legal advice/counsel is provided. Spanish interpreters available.
• Juntos Community
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Clothing 

• A Precious Child
• The Action Center
• Evergreen Christian Outreach
• Clothes to Kids Denver
• Jeffco Serving Kids

Food

• Hunger Free Colorado
• The Action Center
• Jeffco Eats
• Community Table
• Food Bank of the Rockies
• Shepherd’s Pantry

Housing

• Family Tree
• Mountain Resource Center
• Roots of Courage
• Urban Peak
• Jeffco Human Services
• Salvation Army Connection Center

GENERAL

• Omnisalud: Medical insurance available regardless of immigration status 
• Clinica Hispana
• Clinica Colorado
• Immunizations: Free and low cost vaccine calendar, including locations of clinics offering 
• El Grupo Vida  (Disability Support)
• Family Voices
• Bruner Family Medicine Center
• Clinica Tepeyac 
• Denver Health 
• Sheridan Health Services 
• Carin Clinic 
• St. Anthony's Health Center Evergreen

DENTISTRY

• Jeffco Family Health Services Center
• Denver Health Dental Program
• All About Kids Dental Center
• Kids in Need of Dentistry

MENTAL HEALTH

• Call 9-8-8
• Safe-2-Tell 
  • (877) 542-7233
• Saluda La Vida Sana
• Colorado Crisis Services 
  • (844) 493-8255
• Judi's House - Grief Care
  • (720) 941-0331
• Jefferson Center for Mental Health 
  • (303) 425-0300
• Alis Behavioral Health 
  • (888) 528-3860
• Hazel Health
• I Matter 
  • Call 844-493-8255 Text “Talk” to 38255

• Servicios de la Raza’s La Raza Youth Leadership Program
  • A program from Servicios de La Raza that welcomes High School students to join and empower their voice by learning their history and educating them on topics that affect them. La Raza Youth Leadership Program believes in social justice, quality education, human rights, environmental justice worldwide, and the advancement of the Latinx community.
• CU Boulder’s Aquetza
  • The Program consists of empowering youth with strong ties to Chicana/o and Latina/o communities across Colorado to develop powerful connections between academics and community progress, begin to include a trajectory of higher education in their life plans, and to see themselves as scholars and community leaders. 
• INSPiRE
  • Inspiring youth to become change agents in their communities and surroundings, which is built by five principles that include love, leadership, community, possibilities, and social change. They influence youth by mentoring and allowing them to speak about their dreams.
• Convivir Colorado
  • A program that focuses on youth migration experience with a mission to enrich them and create a just society for everyone. Students who are first generation or undocumented students who are in 9th-12th grade can participate in their programs to empower their voice and learn how to thrive by their own.

• Jeffco Public Schools Adult ESL & Literacy Program
  • Literacy and Beginning English classes for Refugees (Online and In-Person)
  • Basic through Advanced English classes for all Colorado residents (In-Person)
• Littleton Immigrant Resources Center - National Immigration Legal Services 
  • Help applying for citizenship 
  • English classes 
• MSU Denver
  • English classes
  • General Education Development (GED) prep classes
• Mi Casa Resource Center
  • Computer classes 
  • Job training and application support