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Safe Haven

Immigration Awareness

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January, 2026

Brenda Cassellius, Ed.D.

Superintendent

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Resolution 1617R-007 – Safe Haven

  • The Safe Haven resolution designates all MPS sites as a Safe Haven for learning and support and outlines steps the district takes to safeguard the information of students and families.
  • After listening to compelling testimony from students, families and community, on fear of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in schools, the school board unanimously adopted the resolution in April 2017.

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Safe Haven – MPS Values

  • MPS believes in the equitable and fair treatment of all students and families.
  • We welcome individuals of all ethnicities, religions, cultural backgrounds, immigration status, and sexual orientation or identity.
  • In this district, we are all valued and no one is pushed aside; this is a safe haven of learning and support.

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District Commitments

  • Designating a person at every school to serve as a resource to immigrant and undocumented students and families.
  • Clear procedures that define the appropriate steps to take if law enforcement comes to a school.
  • Continuing to follow the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

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Resources & Information

  • MPS Safe Haven Website

>Families >MPS Policies > Safe Haven Resolution

  • Know Your Rights Tool Kits
  • Family Preparedness Plan and Fact Sheets
  • Legal Assistance
  • Additional Resources
  • Letter to Families (January 2025)
  • If you have questions, please contact:

Mari Ornelas, Secretary�Email: ornelamc@milwaukee.k12.wi.us�Phone: (414) 475-8439�Languages spoken: English and Spanish

Diana Rivas, Secretary�Email: rivasdx@milwaukee.k12.wi.us�Phone: (414) 475-8032�Languages spoken: English and Spanish

Lau Compliance Center�Phone: (414) 475-8525�Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Farsi

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District Responsibility & Assurances

  • Superintendent’s designee identified to serve as the central point with ICE officials.
  • Designated procedures to ensure the safety of students and families.
  • Compliance with the Department of Homeland Security procedures.
  • Schools can refer families to the Rights & Responsibilities Handbook which directs them to our Safe Haven website

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Statute & Case Law

  • FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal privacy law that gives parents certain protection with regard to their children’s education records.

  • Plyer vs. Doe (1982)

No public school has a basis to deny children access to education based on their immigration status, citing the harm it would inflict on the children and society itself and the equal protection rights of the fourth amendment.

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CONFIDENTIALITY

MPS staff shall NOT disclose any information about any student or family member. This includes:

    • Whether a named student is present at the school or a student of the school,
    • Class schedule, or
    • Family information.

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ALL requests for documentation shall be directed to Student Services. �

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School Procedures for ICE Interaction

1st Point of Contact

If agent is identified at the buzzer refer to the script

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If agent has entered, refer ICE official to School Leader immediately

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In either event, the school leader calls a HOLD

School Leader

Request Identification

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Make copies of any judicial warrants or documentation presented by ICE officials

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Email copies to Student Services

boswelmx@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

smithnv@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

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Refer to Student Services

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Student Services

Senior Director

Contact legal counsel to verify identity of official

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Review/provide legal counsel with documentation

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Parent/Guardian Question:

What happens If ICE Officials Report to/or Enter the School Site?

School Administration Will:

    • Request Identification
    • Make copies of any judicial warrants or documentation presented by ICE officials.
    • Email copies to Student Services
    • Refer ICE Official to Student Services

Student Services Senior Director Will:

    • Contact legal counsel to verify identity of official
    • Review/provide legal counsel with documentation

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What do you say to the ICE Official?

“Per our district procedures, please report to the Department of Student Services at 5225 W. Vliet Street. Ask for Matthew Boswell – All such requests must be handled out of that office.”

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Student Services Contacts

Matthew Boswell 414-475-8027

Nicole Coleman 414-475-8817

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School Procedures for Hostile ICE Interactions

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    • Identify the subject as an ICE Agent or some other law enforcement official (visual observation ONLY – DO NOT ENGAGE)
    • Identify the student/family being affected

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    • Contact MPD to inform of the interaction (provide as much detail as possible (license number, description of car/clothing)
    • Contact School Safety Director, Dr. Jones, 414-750-3488

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    • Clear scene, move students to a safe location
    • Dismiss buses/students not affected

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