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Immigration Resources

San Jose Charter Academy has always been a school of choice where families partner with us in the healthy development and education of their children, no matter their background or circumstances. Since our founding in 1998, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that our partnership with parents and the community is built on three key principles: trust, safety, and opportunity.

Trust.  Each morning, when you send your children through our gates, you place your trust in our teachers and staff. We take this responsibility seriously, knowing that while we can never replace you, we are honored to support your child’s growth and well-being. Our commitment is to operate in the best interest of every student, ensuring they feel valued, supported, and encouraged each day.

Safety.  For students to thrive, they must feel safe—physically, emotionally, and socially. A sense of security allows children to engage in learning, explore new ideas, and develop confidence in themselves. At SJCA, we maintain a secure campus, uphold California’s Department of Education’s guidelines for student record confidentiality, and remain dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive environment free from discrimination, harassment, or intimidation.

Opportunity.  Every child at SJCA has the potential to dream big and achieve their goals. Through proven teaching methods, a commitment to academic excellence, and leadership development, we equip students with the skills to create, innovate, and imagine limitless possibilities. As our vision statement affirms:

Student Privacy and Immigration Enforcement: What Families Need to Know

The safety, privacy, and well-being of all students in our schools are our highest priorities. We want to ensure families have clear, accurate information about our current policies and the steps our staff take to protect students.

Our Commitment to Student Privacy

  • All students have the right to a safe and supportive learning environment, free from disruptions and fear.
  • We follow federal and state laws that protect student records and personal information, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and California Education Code.
  • School staff will not share student information with outside agencies without the required legal documentation.

What This Means for Families

  • You can feel confident that schools will take immediate action to protect your child’s privacy and safety if immigration law enforcement agents request access.
  • You will be notified right away if your child is involved in any such situation.
  • Staff are trained to follow established procedures to ensure the safety and rights of all students.

Every Child’s Right to Attend School: Key Information for Families

The following documents, issued jointly by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education, provide guidance to states, school districts, and parents on the rights of all children to enroll in public schools, regardless of race, color, national origin, or actual or perceived immigration status.

They answer common questions about:

  • Enrollment procedures and acceptable forms of documentation for residency and age.
  • The rights of students who are undocumented or have undocumented parents.
  • Protections for homeless students under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
  • Federal legal protections under the Civil Rights Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
  • Restrictions on requiring Social Security numbers or immigration documents.
  • When and how student information can be shared.

The documents emphasize that schools must not use enrollment practices that could discourage participation and must provide language access for parents with limited English proficiency. It also encourages proactive outreach to make families feel welcome and staff training to prevent discrimination.

Resources

 


ICE Portal

This site contains important information and resources for any immigrant who has been placed in removal proceedings. / Este sitio contiene información y recursos importantes para  cualquier extranjero que haya sido puesto en proceso de expulsión.


Resources for Immigrant Families

Request Records through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act / Solicitar Expedientes a Través de La Ley de Libertad de Información y la Ley de Privacidad

Request records from uscis

Solicite expedientes de uscis


Office of the Attorney General

The Office of the Attorney General helps protect the safety, rights, and well-being of California communities. / La Oficina del Fiscal General ayuda a proteger la seguridad, los derechos y el bienestar de las comunidades de California.