Immigration Status for Students

Focus Question: Should public school districts be checking for the immigration status of students  as a part of the application process for enrollment?

I found an article from the New York Times: U.S. Warns Schools Against Checking Immigration Status. 
Written by Kirk Semple 2011

Many schools have begun asking for immigration papers as a prerequisite to enrollment. Some schools even asking prospective students to reveal their citizenship or immigration status. How uncomfortable! 





For example: In New York, of the 139 school districts, 20% were requiring children's immigration paperwork as a prerequisite for enrollment.


“We have become aware of student enrollment practices that may chill or discourage the participation, or lead to the exclusion, of students based on their or their parents’ or guardians’ actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status,” said the memo, from Justice and Education Department officials. “These practices contravene federal law.”


This leads to a great fear for illegal immigrants. The requirements cause illegal families to avoid enrolling their children because could lead to being reported to federal authorities. 


In Arizona, state lawmakers have considered a bill that would require the state’s Education Department to determine the number of public school students who are unable to prove lawful presence in the United States




Supreme Court Decision 1982
Recognizes the right of all children, regardless of immigration status, to attend public school as long as they meet the age and residency requirements of the state law. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/07/education/07immig.html