MA Public Schools and Immigration: What you need to know

Guidance from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office

In January 2025, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office issued important guidance that sets forth the legal obligations that public schools have with respect to immigrant students in Massachusetts, as well as how schools should respond if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrives at the school campus. This guidance is an important reminder that schools have specific obligations to protect students, including immigrant students, and their information This fact sheet summarizes this guidance, which can be found on the Attorney General's website.

K-12 Schools’ Obligation to Protect Students & Their Information

All students are entitled to equal access to free public education. Regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or immigration status. Schools must meet this obligation and avoid policies that discourage, deny, or delay access for immigrant families. This fact sheet summarizes these obligations, which can found on the Attorney General’s website.