Protocols for Non-Local Law Enforcement

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) welcomes and serves every child, regardless of immigration status. Your school is here to support you. 

Non-local law enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is not permitted to access our schools, students, or records unless required by law and after consultation with NYCPS attorneys. In order to ensure the safety of our students and staff, below is a summary of the protocol if such personnel request access to NYCPS facilities, students, or student records:

  1. Get Information from NLLE Officer
    1. Name/badge ID of officer
    2. Purpose of visit
    3. Any documentation from the officer, such as a subpoena, search warrant, or arrest warrant.
    4. Do not provide any information to the officer.
  2. Escalate to NYCPS Legal
    1. Contact Senior Field Counsel (SFC) and provide them with details and documentation obtained from the officer. Take no further action until instructions are obtained from SFC.
    2. Whether a warrant authorizes a non-local law enforcement officer to take a specific action, such as conducting a search or arrest, depends on the scope of the warrant and whether it was issued by a judge or was administratively issued. NYCPS, consistent with the rule of law, must honor valid judicial warrants, but principals, designees, and school staff must not make their own assessments about the validity of a judicial warrant. Therefore, it is vitally important to immediately obtain a copy of the warrant and contact the SFC before allowing any access pursuant to a warrant. If a non-local law enforcement officer presents a warrant of any type, provide the warrant to the SFC and await further instructions. 
  3. Follow Guidance from NYCPS Legal
    1. If Advised to Deny Access: 
      1. If the SFC advises you against providing access or information to the officer, please inform the officer: “I have spoken with my counsel, and I’m not authorized to let you in.”
      2. If the officer insists say: “My counsel is on the phone, and you can speak with them.”
    2. If Advised to Grant Access:
      1. If the SFC advises you to comply with the officer’s request, consult with the SFC about the next steps and when to contact the student’s parent or guardian regarding the request.
      2. Complete an Online Occurrence Reporting System (OORS) report using code N24.

These steps are generally applicable in all situations and NYCPS has expanded its protocols to include guidance that is specific to the following circumstances:

  • If NLLE comes to the schoolhouse door;
  • Afterschool and Weekend programming, including for Community Based Organizations (CBOs) who operate both with a principal or designee at the program site and without;
  • If members of a school community are approached during an Offsite School-Related Activity, such as a field trip, school dance, athletic competition, etc.; and
  • If NLLE presence is nearby a school during operation, particularly Arrival or Dismissal.


NYCPS staff can find the complete protocols on the Project Open Arms Infohub