The ACLU sent updated guidance and a Family Safety Planning Guide to Vermont school leaders, educators, and partners, outlining the legal obligations—and opportunities—that schools have to protect students’ rights during the 2026-2027 academic year. While public education is a foundational pillar of our democracy—guaranteed by the Vermont Constitution—fear of immigration enforcement in our schools has kept students from experiencing the safe, welcoming environments they deserve.
This year, Vermont passed two laws to ensure that all Vermonters, regardless of citizenship status, have equal access to an education: S.209, also known as Act 150, “An act relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations,” and S.227, also known as Act 125, “An act relating to creating immigration protocols in Vermont schools."
By embracing these new protections, Vermont school leaders and educators have a vital opportunity to transform these legal mandates into a culture of genuine inclusion. When communities actively uphold these protocols, they send an unequivocal message that our classrooms belong to every student, ensuring that fear is replaced by the freedom to learn and grow, and allowing them to focus on their education without interference.
