Safe Haven Resolution

The MPS Safe Haven Resolution designates every Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) site as a "safe haven." We welcome individuals of all ethnicities, religions, cultural backgrounds, immigration statuses, and sexual orientations or identities.

MPS believes in the equitable and fair treatment of all students and families. In this district, we are all valued, and no one is pushed aside.

Our safety team continues to meet and review how we can keep our schools safe and welcoming. All MPS schools now have multilingual posters declaring the schools as safe havens of learning and support.

Jump Directly to Resources

Actions

As part of the Safe Haven Resolution, MPS will:

Designate a staff member at every school to serve as a resource to immigrant and undocumented students and families
Implement clearly defined steps to take if law enforcement comes to a school, as well as procedures that ensure student and family safety
Designate a central contact person for ICE officials
Continue to follow the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and comply with Department of Homeland Security procedures

Background

In 2017, students, families, and the Milwaukee community gave compelling testimony around fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in schools, and the Milwaukee Board of School Directors unanimously adopted the Safe Haven Resolution in April 2017. The resolution states that any actions that might be taken by ICE on school grounds will be opposed by all legal means available.

Legal Basis

Information for Schools

Script: What to Say to an ICE Official

“Per our district procedures, please report to the Department of Student Services at 5225 W. Vliet Street. Ask for Matthew Boswell—all such requests must be handled out of that office.”

Student Services Contact Information

Matthew Boswell, Senior Director
Email: boswelmx@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: (414) 475-8027

If unavailable:

Nicole Coleman, Manager III
Email: smithnv@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: (414) 475-8817

Procedures for ICE Interactions

School Staff

If ICE comes to your school, your school leader issues a HOLD, which means students stay in their classrooms and staff lock classroom doors.
If the agent is at the buzzer, refer to the script above. If the agent has entered the school, refer them to your school leader immediately.

School Administration

If the agent has entered the school:

Issue a HOLD.
Request identification.
Make copies of ICE’s judicial warrants or documentation.
Email copies to Student Services (Matthew Boswell and Nicole Coleman).
Refer the ICE official to Student Services.

These practices are consistent with how the district handles other law enforcement requests.

Senior Director of Student Services

Contact legal counsel to verify the identity of the official.
Review/provide legal counsel with documentation.

Off-Campus Interactions

What if an immigration agent arrives while a staff member is conducting a home visit with a student and their family?

What if an immigration agent makes contact with a school bus?

The bus driver will remain calm and speak to the agent through the driver's window. They will follow the script for interacting with ICE officials. The driver will then contact dispatch, which will communicate with the MPS Transportation Office and Student Services. If the driver is not detained, they will continue their route. If they are, they will "hold" students on the bus. They can contact dispatch to contact 911 if there are any immediate safety concerns.

What if an immigration agent makes contact during a field trip?

Confidentiality

MPS does not ask for immigration status of families. According to federal court rulings, no public school has a basis to deny children access to education based on immigration status. MPS staff will not ask about the status of any student or family member—not in conversation, via district email, or through any other district messaging.

MPS staff will NOT disclose any information to ICE officials. This includes:

Whether a specific student is present—or even enrolled at the school
A student’s class schedule
Any family information

All requests for documentation will be directed to the Department of Student Services.

Activism Guidelines for Students and Staff

We recognize the rights of our students to share their opinions and views. While not district- or school-organized or sponsored, students at a number of high schools have led walkouts. MPS students who participate in walkouts are marked absent, monitored while they remain on campus for their safety, and allowed back into the building.

MPS also respects the personal civic engagement of our employees outside the workplace. Employees must remember to not engage in political-related activities during the workday, while supervising students, or while using district time or resources. This includes in-person activity, electronic communications, and the use of district systems.

Resources

MPS does not provide legal advice to students or families, but the following resources may be helpful to undocumented immigrants, immigrants, and refugees living in Milwaukee County. By posting here, MPS is not endorsing any organization but rather making resources available for families to review on their own.

Understanding Your Rights

Know Your Rights and Policy Information for Refugees (video)
Presented by Director of Legal Services Abby Cole, International Institute of Wisconsin
Conozca sus derechos y informacion sobre politicas para refudiados (video)
Presentado por Gerente de Servicios Legales Cecilia Ornelas Ramirez, International Institute of Wisconsin
Know Your Rights and Available Resources (website)
Available via the City of Milwaukee
This list of resources offers more information about immigrant rights; organizations that can help; and what to do if you are stopped, if a friend or family member is detained, or if ICE is at your place of work.
Red Cards (website)
Available in 56 languages via Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The ILRC's wallet-sized red cards have easy-to-reference reminders about how you can exercise these rights.
A Guide to Your Rights When Interacting with Law Enforcement (PDF): English | Spanish
Available via Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.
This guide contains information on encountering immigration agents in different places (i.e. at home, at work, in public), how to read a warrant, and much more.
A Resource for Students, Parents, and Guardians (PDF): English | Spanish
Available via Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.
This guide contains information on students’ educational rights and what to do if they are violated.

Preparing Your Family

Emergency Family Planning Toolkit (PDF): English | Hmong | Spanish
Available via Forward Latino
This toolkit was created to help families prepare for the possibility of detention or separation. It includes information to ensure everyone understands and can exercise their constitutional rights.
Family Preparedness Plan (PDF): English | Spanish
Available via Immigrant Legal Resource Center
This document can be used to help all families create a personalized plan, regardless of immigration status. Be sure to share your plan with older children and any emergency contacts you have listed in Campus Parent Portal.
Wisconsin Minor (Child) Power of Attorney Form
This easily fillable form enables a child's parent or legal guardian to appoint another adult to care for their child when the parent/guardian is not available.

Housing Resources

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Refugee Housing Resource Guide (PDF)
From the Bureau of Refugee Programs, Updated 06/2026
This guide was created for housing staff, newcomers, and landlords to ensure self-sufficiency through housing. Each section outlines key topics, essential resources, and templates to successfully navigate housing in Wisconsin.

Finding Legal Resources

Discover Organizations That Can Help

Mental and Emotional Health Resources

Coping in Times of Uncertainty (website)
Available via the Trauma and Community Resilience Center at Boston Children’s Hospital
These resources provide youth and caregivers with information about signs and symptoms of distress, as well as tangible strategies for support during stressful times. Resources are available for download in English, Spanish, Creole (Haitian), and Dari.
Supporting Children After a Parent’s Deportation or Detention (website)
Available in multiple languages via Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
This guide describes ways to support healthy development and resilience for children whose parents have been deported or detained. It is intended for primary caregivers and other supportive adults, like teachers and neighbors.
Talking With Children About Violence in the News: Guidance for Parents and Caregivers (website)
Available via NAMI Minnesota
This article reviews how fostering thoughtful, honest, and supportive conversations can help children feel safer and less alone during uncertain times.
Tengo Miedo (I'm Scared): Coping Skills for Children of Immigrants (e-book)
Available via Marly's Libros
This free, downloadable book helps children cope with feelings related to immigration operations.
What to Do If You're Worried About ICE (for Kids) (website)
Available via Children's Network of Solano County
This guide is designed for children to help them feel safer, stronger, and more supported.
What to Say to Kids About ICE (website)
Available via Children's Network of Solano County
This guide helps families have calm, honest conversations with their children.
When Children Are Afraid of a Parent’s Deportation (website)
Available in multiple languages via Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
This pamphlet covers how to support children who are afraid of parents or other loved ones being deported.

Additional Resources

City of Milwaukee Police Department Frequently Asked Questions About ICE (PDF)
Available via Milwaukee Public Schools
MPD responses to questions about ICE actions, arrests, detainment, mask policy, data-sharing contracts and other information.
City of Milwaukee Police Department Immigration Policy (PDF)
Available via Milwaukee Police Department
SOP 130 Details MPD's policies on dealing with foreign nationals, diplomats and diplomatic immunity, and immigration enforcement (pages 9-10).
To request a printable poster to hang in classrooms and around schools, please contact webmaster@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. (Multiple languages are available.)

More Information

Letter to Families (January 2026)

Letter to Families (January 2026)

Dear MPS Community,

All Milwaukee Public Schools sites are a Safe Haven for individuals of all ethnicities, religions, cultural backgrounds, immigration statuses, and sexual orientations or identities.

We know that actions by immigration agents elsewhere in the Midwest have caused concern, including in our own community. While recent reports of increased activity here turned out not to be true, we know there is still real fear for many.

We want to remind you of important information.

Immigration status and enrollment

MPS does not ask for immigration status of families. No public school has a basis to deny children access to education based on immigration status, according to federal court rulings.

What would happen if an immigration agent came to a school

The school would call a HOLD, which means students stay in their classrooms and staff lock classroom doors. (The HOLD action is part of the nationally recognized Standard Response Protocol used by schools across the country.)
The school would refer the individuals away from the school and to MPS Central Services and the Department of Student Services. (These practices are consistent with how the district handles other law enforcement requests.)
Detailed steps are available in presentations posted on the Safe Haven webpage.
In the coming weeks, at a time when students are not present, MPS school staff members will practice a HOLD action in order to be best prepared.

Our Safe Haven resolution and resources

These practices are based on the district’s Safe Haven Resolution, which was approved by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.
We continue to update the Safe Haven webpage with resources available in multiple languages.

Student-led walkouts

We recognize the rights of our students to share their opinions and views.
While not district- or school-organized or sponsored, students at a number of high schools have led walkouts.
When this happens, students are marked absent, we monitor students while they remain on campus for their safety, and students who participate are allowed back into the building.

Staff political activity

MPS also respects the personal civic engagement of our employees, however, such activities must occur outside of work hours and without the use of district resources.
Employees may not engage in political-related activities during the workday, while supervising students, or while using district time or resources. This includes in-person activity, electronic communications, and the use of district systems.

Our safety team continues to meet and review these issues so we can continue to keep our schools safe and welcoming. All schools now have multilingual posters declaring the schools as safe havens of learning and support. In this district, we are all valued and no one is pushed aside. The Milwaukee Board of School Directors and MPS administration continue to support this fundamental belief.

Sincerely,

Michael Harris
Interim Deputy Superintendent

What can we help you find?

Quick Links

In This Section