ResourcestoSupport

ImmigrantandRefugeeFamilies
A state group led by Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska Rural Capacity Building attorneys authored a Rights
and Planning Guide and held numerous Train the Trainer workshops across the state. This document was
created to highlight key ideas presented at the training to support Grand Island Public Schools staff members
working with students and families that are facing uncertainty regarding current and future immigration
enforcement policies. The following information is meant to educate, provide guidance, and identify
community resources prepared to work with families through the process. It is not intended to provide legal or
other advice.

Under federal law, all children, regardless of their citizenship or residency status, are entitled to a K-12
education. Every Student, Every Day, A Success!

SupportingFamilies&KnowingWhattoSay

There may be times when students and families seek out your assistance and guidance. While you cannot
give legal advice, you can use the following questions and statements to provide support and refer families to
organizations and individuals in the community that are trained to help with matters regarding immigration.
Your children are safe at school. We look forward to seeing them every day engaging in their
learning and preparing for the future.
Are your emergency contacts up-to-date with the school and documented on Infinite Campus?
There are many local nonprofits and advocates in Grand Island prepared to work with families.
Are you familiar with any of these organization? Would you like their contact information?
See list of resources below.
Understand your rights and options under the law by speaking to a qualified immigration
attorney or Department of Justice (DOJ) representative.
Do you have a qualified immigration attorney or DOJ: Department of Justice representative to
represent you in your immigration proceedings?
Contact a local nonprofit for assistance in finding legal representation or the Nebraska
Immigration Legal Assistance Hotline (www.nilah.org)
Have you created a safety plan to be prepare for any uncertainties that may arise? Being
prepared and organized is one thing you can do now to help prepare in the event you are arrested,
detained or removed. It is important to keep a file of copies of all documents in a safe place. Tell
your children, family members, and Power of Attorney and/or designated caregiver for your children
where to find this file in an emergency.
Contact a local nonprofit for assistance with safety planning. For a checklist of documents,
see pages 75-79 in the Rights and Planning Guide available here:
http://jfon-ne.org/resources/.


ConnectingFamiliestoCommunityResources

Multicultural Coalition of Grand Island Lutheran Family Services - Grand Island

221 W. 2nd Street 1811 W. 2nd Street
Grand Island, NE 68801 Grand Island, NE 68803
(308) 385-5242 (308) 382-4255
mcofgi@gmail.com https://www.lfsneb.org/location/grand-island/
www.mcofgi.org Offers immigration legal services to refugees, immigrants, and
First-Stop Center assists newcomers by meeting their immediate asylees. LFS is recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals
and emerging needs. (BIA).

St. Marys Immigration Program Grand Island Latino Network

207 S. Elm Street https://www.facebook.com/Grand-Island-Latino-Network-
Grand Island, NE 68802 680269462012339/
(308) 381-2855 Maintain communication, promote diversity, encourage
http://www.stmarysgi.com/immigration_program improvement and give constructive and educational information
to the community of Grand Island
Services immigrants of all faiths and nationalities who seek
family reunification, citizenship, and protection from
persecution and violence. SMIP is accredited by the Board of
Immigration Appeals (BIA).

Justice For Our Neighbors Nebraska Appleseed

(402) 898-1349 (402) 438-8853
info@jfon-ne.org info@neappleseed.org
http://jfon-ne.org/ https://neappleseed.org/
JFON staff members and attorneys meet with low-income Services most often include referrals, legal information, and
immigrants at legal clinics, through referrals and schedule supportive advice.
appointments. To make an appointment at the Grand Island
clinic, please call the Nebraska Immigration Legal Assistance
Hotline (NILAH) 1-855-307-6730

Kendall Law Office, PC LLO Nebraska Legal Assistance Hotline (NILAH)

Grand Island Branch Office 1-855-307-6730
118 E. 4th Street http://www.nilah.org
Grand Island, NE 68801 Provides a centralized hotline and resources for low-income
(308) 675-1232 immigration legal assistance.
http://omahaimmigrationlaw.com/index.html
Represent immigrant and nonimmigrant clients in a wide range
of legal areas, including immigration law. Jesus Tena Law
1811 W. 2nd Street, Ste. 475
Grand Island, NE 68801
(308)

Click here to print list of nonprofit agencies.

Grand Island Public Schools ELL Program 03.31.2017


KeyTerms&Definitions
Listed in alphabetically order, not by level of importance

BIA: Board of Immigration Appeals. The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is the highest administrative
body for interpreting and applying immigration laws. BIA accredited representatives may assist in immigration
proceedings before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or the Executive Office for Immigration
Reviews (EOIR) immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), or both. All accredited
representatives must be affiliated with an organization that is recognized.
DACA: Deferred Action for early Child Arrivals. DACA is an immigration benefit available to
undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. before they were 16 years old, have continuously resided in
the U.S. since 2007, are currently enrolled or have graduated from school and have good moral character.
DACA still exists as of February 2017, however, because it was implemented as an executive order during the
Obama administration, it can be repealed at any time.
Displaced Students. Students who experience separation from their parents and immediate families.
Deportation, also known as removal. Deportation (also called removal) occurs when someone who is
not a U.S. citizen is removed from the United States. Once you are deported, you are usually not able to return
to the United States for some period of time (e.g. 3, 5, or 10 years depending on your case). There are waivers
available to overcome the time bars, but they are limited to family members of Legal Permanent Residents and
U.S. citizen spouses and parents that are extremely difficult to get.
DHS: Department of Homeland Security. DHS is a department within the U.S. Federal Government with
the responsibility of protecting the country against any threat, both within and outside of the United States.
https://www.dhs.gov/
Documented. Individuals with Legal Permanent Resident, as well as people with current visas or work permits
stemming from a current form of immigration relief.
DOJ: Department of Justice. A department of the Federal Executive Branch responsible for enforcing all
civil rights legislation.
DOJ Representative. A non-lawyer who is given permission by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to represent
undocumented and documented people on behalf of a recognized non-profit organization (i.e. religious,
charitable, social service, or similar organization) before USCIS and/or Immigration Court depending on the
level of accreditation. There are two types of accreditation:
i) Partially Accredited DOJ representatives may represent undocumented and documented people
before DHS only
ii) Fully Accredited DOJ representatives may represent undocumented and documented people before
DHS, Immigration Court and the BIA. Both fully and partially accredited DOJ representatives cannot
practice state law or any other type of federal law as they are not attorneys.
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. A Federal law that protects the privacy of student
education records. Any requests for student information requires a judicial court order or lawfully issued
subpoena.
ICE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement- ICE is an agency within the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) which enforces immigration law. You will usually hear about ICE in relation to raids or when a
person is being detained.
Immigration Attorney: Attorneys who specialize in representing immigrants.

Grand Island Public Schools ELL Program 03.31.2017

Immigration Court & Judge: There are approximately 250 immigration judges located in 58 immigration
courts throughout the nation. Nebraskas immigration court is located in Omaha.
Immigration Detention: Non-U.S. citizens who are apprehended and determined to need custodial supervision
are placed in detention facilities.
Immigration Enforcement Operations, also known as raids. These targeted events are conducted by
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and can happen at any given time, typically at home, work, or on
the street. The term raids is generally used by immigrant communities and advocates to describe the pre planned
arrests of immigrants working, studying, or living in the United States without lawful immigration status.
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), also known as green card holders. Non-citizens who are lawfully
authorized to live permanently within the United States.
Naturalization. The conferring, by any means, of citizenship upon a person after birth.
Types of Immigration Status
U.S. Citizen. If you are a U.S. citizen, you cannot be deported unless your citizenship was obtained as
the result of fraud. There are multiple ways you can become or may already be a U.S. citizen.
By birth. If you are born in the U.S., you are a U.S. citizen as set forth by the Constitution of
the United
By acquisition. You may already be a U.S. citizen if you were born outside the U.S. to one or
more U.S. citizen parents.
By derivation. You may already be a U.S. citizen if you have at least one U.S. citizen parent by
birth or naturalization, are under age 18; have a green card, and you are in the legal and physical
custody of your U.S. citizen parent.
By naturalization. Generally, to apply for U.S. citizenship, you must:
Have been a lawful permanent resident for 3-5 years, depending on how you were able to
obtain your Lawful Permanent Resident status
Have good moral character; and
Speak, read, and write proficient English, unless you fall under a disability or age
exception to the civics and English exam
Non-Citizens
Immigrants (Lawful Permanent Residents)
In U.S. fleeing past or future persecution (Asylees and Refugees)
Those in the U.S with temporary permission (Temporary Protected Status and DACA)
Nonimmigrants (visitors and students)
Undocumented
Undocumented. Undocumented refers to people who are not U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents of the
United States, who do not hold a current visa to reside in the U.S. and who have not been approved for legal
residency in the U.S.
Unaccompanied Children. An unaccompanied child is a child who has no lawful immigration status in the
United States; is under the age of 18; and has no parent or legal guardian in the United States, or has no parent
or legal guardian in the United States available to provide care and physical custody.
USCIS: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services - is an agency within the Department of
Homeland Security that oversees authorized immigration to the United States. This agency is in charge of
processing applications for citizenship, renewal of work permit, family petitions, and many others.
http://www.uscis.gov/

Grand Island Public Schools ELL Program 03.31.2017

 AdditionalInformation

Individuals At Risk for Deportation

Under the current immigration law and recent executive orders, anyone who is not a U.S. citizen (both
documented and undocumented) can be deported.
Reporting Hate Crime
Hate crime is a criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an
offenders bias against a race, religion, disability, ethnic origin or sexual orientation. Hate itself is not a
crime. The following activities are examples of crimes that qualify as hate crimes: being physically
assaulted while the assailant is using derogatory racial, sexual words; vandalism or graffiti towards a
group where it will be seen by that group; and someone pulling a religious head covering.
To report a hate crime, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Reporting Unauthorized Practice of Law
Unauthorized practice of law is the practice of law by someone who is not authorized to do so. The
practice of law can take many forms., but the most common includes: filling out legal forms, giving
legal advice, and representing someone in court. Only licensed attorneys can practice law.
In many Latin American countries, notaries are attorneys. This is not true in the U.S.and there is a big
difference between being an attorney and being a notary. Note: Many notaries are not attorneys, but
many attorneys are notaries.
If you encounter unauthorized practice of law or have been a victim of such circumstance, please report
it. For more information see pages 50 & 51 in the Rights and Planning Guide available here:
http://jfon-ne.org/resources/

ConnectingStafftoResourceswithinGrandIslandPublic

In the process of creating an . . .

Immigration Response Team
A local team that will create and implement a protocol/rapid response plan so that we are ready and
know what to do if an immigration enforcement operation (raid) happens in Grand Island.
- Members will include district and community representatives, including individuals identified in
each building to serve as the immigration resource advocate.

Seminar: How to Support our Immigrant and Refugee Students and Families
Purpose: To educate, provide guidance and community resources to help families in need of
immigration assistance, and identify steps in the event of an immigration enforcement operation.
Learning Targets:
Define and discuss key terms related to immigration.
Build background by providing an overview of current immigration law and naturalization
process.
Describe information to share with families that seek out your assistance.
Identify community resources prepared to meet the needs of immigrant and refugee families.
Know what to do in the event of an immigration enforcement operation (raid).
Reflect and ask questions of local nonprofit organization and immigrant advocates.

Grand Island Public Schools ELL Program 03.31.2017

 Participants:
- Individual trainings held for GIPS Administrators, Counselors, Social Workers, and Bilingual
Paraprofessionals/Interpreters
- Teacher seminars held for other interested staff members
Facilitators: Kris Schneider, Amanda Levos, and Cassie Blase (see contact information below)

References

Justice for Our Neighbors Nebraska. (2017, February 20). Rights and Planning Guide. Retreived from
http://jfon-ne.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/KYR-SP-Guide-Feb.20.2017.pdf

For additional support, contact:

Kris Schneider, Director of Federal Programs - mschneider@gips.org
Amanda Levos, Coordinator of ELL - alevos@gips.org
Cassie Blase, K-5 Special Education Teacher/GIPS Special Education Reading Coach - cblase@gips.org

Grand Island Public Schools ELL Program 03.31.2017