At STEM Prep, we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all students, families, and staff are protected and can thrive. We understand that navigating immigration-related challenges can be daunting, and we want to assure you that our schools are places of safety and support for everyone in our community. STEM Prep adopted a policy in 2018 affirming our commitment to support and protect STEM Prep students and their families to the greatest extent possible. To that end, we are:

  • Upholding confidentiality: STEM Prep staff prioritizes the privacy of student, family, and staff information to protect personal and legal status.
  • Creating safe spaces: Our schools serve as trusted environments where families can access support and guidance.
  • Establishing responsive protocols: We have prepared clear processes to address situations involving immigration enforcement to protect the safety and well-being of our school communities.
  • Sharing valuable resources: We are dedicated to providing families with access to information and tools that may help them navigate complex circumstances.

As part of these efforts, we have compiled a variety of resources to assist members of our community who are impacted by immigration policies. We encourage you to explore these resources together as a family and visit this page periodically as it may be updated on a rolling basis. 

Organizations offering free legal assistance or support with DACA renewals:

These resources provide immediate assistance for those facing a mental health crisis, including 24/7 hotlines, text services, and suicide prevention support.
  • CalHOPE: Click the link for an online chat, or use the Warmline (833) 317-HOPE (4673) – which currently provides telephone and text-based services in English and Spanish. For callers requesting to receive support in other languages, the CalHOPE Warmline provides telephone-based (not text-based) services via an interpretation service (Language-Link), which offers telephonic interpretation in over 240 additional languages. 
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This line also offers interpretation in 240 languages through Language Line Solutions. There is also a national 988 site in Spanish. Individuals can call or text 988, press 2, and get access to a Spanish-speaking counselor 24/7. 
  • Never a Bother: mental health crisis support for teens and young adults, including suicide prevention. 
Explore free, user-friendly apps designed to provide mental health support for individuals, teens, and parents.
  • Soluna: Free mental health app for Californians aged 13-25.
  • BrightLife Kids: Free app for parents and guardians of children aged 0-12.
  • Boundless: Mental health resources specifically for immigrants.

Resources tailored for parents and caregivers to help children and teens overcome life’s challenges and adverse experiences.

Specialized resources to support the unique mental health needs of immigrants and refugees, including those who have experienced trauma.

Tools and hotlines to report hate crimes or incidents and receive support, ensuring victims and witnesses can find assistance and protection.

  • California v. Hate Hotline:   Any victim of or witness to a hate incident or crime in California can report it and receive support by calling 833-8-NO-HATE; (833) 866-4283 Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. If outside of those hours, you can leave a voicemail, or you can call 211 to report hate and seek support. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What rights do immigrant students and family members have at school, regardless of their immigration status?

All children present in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have a right to attend public school. California schools are not allowed to request or collect information about Social Security numbers, immigration status or U.S. citizenship when enrolling students. Students and parents do not have to answer questions from schools about their immigration status, citizenship, or whether they have a Social Security number.

The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, restricts schools from sharing students’ personal information in most cases with other agencies or organizations, including federal immigration authorities. Because STEM Prep does not ask for student immigration status when they enroll, staff should not be aware of a student’s immigration status, nor are they permitted to share any private student information.

The Department of Homeland Security designated schools and colleges as protected areas where immigration enforcement should be avoided as much as possible. In the event that ICE officers arrive at a school, the attorney general’s guidelines say school staff should ask officers for a judicial warrant. Without a judicial warrant, school staff are not required to give an ICE officer permission to enter the school or conduct a search, or provide information or records about a student or family.

While we strive to provide useful information, STEM Prep does not offer legal advice. The resources we share are intended to guide you in identifying services that may meet your needs. For your own protection, please do not seek the advice of notaries or others who are not licensed immigration attorneys.