Immigrant Students and Families

**Some information adapted from MMSD**

We want you to know:

  • that all students, regardless of immigration status, have the right to attend school

  • you never need to disclose your immigration status

  • exactly what rights protect immigrant and undocumented individuals

  • how to get help from organizations in the Madison area that offer legal and social services

Student records are private

Wisconsin state law and federal law (FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) prohibit us from sharing this information. The district no longer collects students’ social security numbers.

Emergency planning

We encourage all families to keep their child's emergency contact information up-to-date with the school district. Here are some ways to do so:

You may also wish to develop an emergency plan for your family.

You may have other questions about your rights, your student’s rights and where to seek help. We’ve compiled several resources below.



Key Resource Guide for the Latino Community


The following links provide additional national resources from immigration experts:

  • IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER: DACA Current Status and Options

  • IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES NETWORK: Legal Services Directory

    • National directory of more than 950 free or low-cost nonprofit immigration legal services providers in all 50 states.

  • UNITED WE DREAM: Deportation Defense Card

    • Are you prepared if Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents approach you? Download your Deportation Defense Card to Know Your Rights. - English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean

    • Hotline for learning rights and reporting right violations: 1-844-363-1423


Student resources

Madison Area Technical College

The Madison College Scholars of Promise program helps income-eligible recent high school graduates realize their dream of attending college by removing financial barriers. For more information please visit the Scholars of Promise website.

Centro Hispano

Centro Hispano works to improve the quality of life for Latinos and others living in Dane County by empowering youth, strengthening families, and engaging the community. A primary goal is to see Latino youth prepared to succeed in life by finishing high school, being prepared for postsecondary education and engaging positively in their communities. Immigration services; DACA, naturalization, permanent residency and family are provided Monday-Friday and free consultation with an immigration attorney by appointment. Languages served: English, Spanish.

micentro.org | 608-255-3018

DREAMERS of UW-Madison

The purpose of this organization is to advocate for undocumented/DACAmented students pursuing higher education. DREAMERS aims to educate students, faculty, staff and communities regarding the struggles and the needs of these students; provide mentoring services; facilitate resources (including educational workshops and presentations), and serve as a support group to undocumented/DACAmented students in high school, undergraduate or graduate school. DREAMERS organizes fundraisers to provide undocumented/DACAmented students with scholarships to fund their educational endeavors. DREAMERS advocates and takes action to ensure that students have equal access to higher education and become the leaders of tomorrow.

https://win.wisc.edu/organization/DREAMERSofUW-Madison/about

Multicultural Student Center

The primary mission of the Multicultural Student Center is to collaboratively strengthen and sustain an inclusive campus where all students, particularly students of color and other historically underserved students can realize an authentic Wisconsin Experience.

https://msc.wisc.edu/

RISE Law Center

Provides legal representation to immigrants and refugees in immigration law regarding VAWA Self Petition, U/T Visa, Adjustment of Status, Asylum Applications, DACA, Employment Authorization, Family-based Petitions, Naturalization, citizenship, Removal/Deportation hearings, etc. Most services are free. Languages served: English and Spanish. Interpreters in additional languages are available as needed.

riselawcenter.org/ | 608-256-1015


Local Resources

Legal Clinics and Consultation

Centro Hispano

Centro Hispano works to improve the quality of life for Latinos and others living in Dane County by empowering youth, strengthening families, and engaging the community. A primary goal is to see Latino youth prepared to succeed in life by finishing high school, being prepared for postsecondary education and engaging positively in their communities. Immigration services; DACA, naturalization, permanent residency and family are provided Monday-Friday and free consultation with an immigration attorney by appointment. Languages served: English, Spanish.

micentro.org | 608-255-3018

Community Immigration Law Center (CILC)

Free, walk-in immigration consultation clinic at 944 E. Gorham St., Madison. Open the second and fourth Friday of each month from 2–5 p.m. First come, first served. Languages served: English and Spanish.

cpcmadison.org/ | 608-257-4845

Immigrant Justice Clinic

The Immigrant Justice Clinic (IJC) provides free legal services to Wisconsin's underserved immigrant community. Legal services may include applications for humanitarian relief for non-citizen victims of crime, persecution, and human trafficking, defense for non-citizens facing removal in Immigration Court, and briefs to the Board of Immigration Appeals on behalf of indigent non-citizens. IJC also works with criminal defense attorneys to negotiate plea agreements that avoid adverse effects to client's' immigration status. Law students work under supervision of a clinical instructor.

law.wisc.edu/eji/ijc/ | 608-890-3753

RISE Law Center

Provides legal representation to immigrants and refugees in immigration law regarding VAWA Self Petition, U/T Visa, Adjustment of Status, Asylum Applications, DACA, Employment Authorization, Family-based Petitions, Naturalization, citizenship, Removal/Deportation hearings, etc. Most services are free. Languages served: English and Spanish. Interpreters in additional languages are available as needed.

riselawcenter.org/ | 608-256-1015

Citizenship

Madison Path to Citizenship

Provides assistance in navigating the naturalization process through information sessions and citizenship workshops. Attorneys assist in preparing required paperwork.

madisonpath.com/ | 608-263-6735

Other Services

Key Resource Guide

A resource guide for Latino families developed by Voces de la Frontera. The guide includes a “Know Your Rights” card, important phrases for interacting with immigration enforcement and guidance on how to create an emergency plan in the case of deportation.

http://vdlf.org/workers-center/know-your-rights/immigration-raids/

Latino Education Council

The Latino Education Council is a non-profit organization that partners with local communities and school districts to build a more equitable and inclusive public education system. It provides advocacy for academic success and other issues affecting students and families as well as individual student consultations to discuss pathways to education, seeking to support these efforts by advocating for students and families, educating the community on education issues, and inspiring students to reach out for their dreams.

https://www.facebook.com/latinoeduca/

Legal Action of Wisconsin

Provides free, personalized legal services to individuals with low-income. Services provided include, but not limited to, benefits and health, family law, housing law, employment and Social Security. Supports 12 different languages.

legalaction.org/ | 608-256-3304

Multicultural Student Center

The Multicultural Student Center collaboratively strengthens and sustains an inclusive campus where all students, particularly students of color and other historically underserved students, can realize an authentic Wisconsin Experience.

msc.wisc.edu/ | 608-262-4503

Neighborhood Law Clinic

Provides a variety of legal services including rental housing, employment, and public benefits law. Law students staff the community-based office at the UW South Madison Partnership space in the Villager Mall on Madison's South Side.

law.wisc.edu/eji/nlc/ | 608-265-2441

Unión de Trabajadores Inmigrantes

This labor and community organization was created by and for workers to defend and foster the working and living conditions of working families in Dane County, Wisconsin, the US and internationally, advocating for equal rights for all workers of any race, national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation or any other class difference. Languages served: English and Spanish.

https://www.facebook.com/utimadison/ | 608-345-9544 or 1-866-476-0884

Voces de la Frontera

Wisconsin’s largest Latino and low-wage worker membership organization and a leading immigrant rights advocacy organization in the state. Groups operate in Milwaukee, Racine, Madison, Green Bay, Walrus County and Waukesha, and they serve immigrants of all nations. If you have an immigration related emergency, call or text 414-418-9409. Languages served: English and Spanish.

vdlf.org/ | 414-643-1620

Wisconsin American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

The country’s largest public interest law organization. The organization works daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country, including immigrants. Interpreters available.

www.aclu-wi.org/ | 414-272-4032

Workers’ Rights Center of Madison

Provides advocacy for worker civil rights. Can assist with workers’ rights information, education, legal advocacy, advice and referrals and training. Free appointments available. Languages served: English, Spanish and Hmong.

wrcmadison.org/WP/ or workerjustice.org | 608-255-0376