This video describes the rights that immigrant children have to education.
- The rights of all students to a pre-K to 12 education are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The 1981 Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe requires schools to abide by certain procedures when registering immigrant children into school and that they respect their right to an education.
- Plyler v. Doe made it clear that school personnel are not legally required to enforce immigration laws. It also closes the gap between access to public education and community participation by requiring any child residing in the United States – be they immigrant, resident or citizen – to attend school.
- Schools must follow certain procedures when enrolling students in school, such as not inquiring or requiring any documentation from the parents that may disclose immigration status, not denying admission to any child during any time of enrollment, not treating students and families differently based on inquiries of their immigration status, and not engaging in any practices that hinder their right to an education.
Resources & Tools
See eBook: Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants
About the San Antonio VOE
IDRA and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Antonio are partnering to help Mexican and Mexican American families navigate the U.S. education system and learn about important educational opportunities in both countries. The program, called Ventanilla de Orientación Educativa (VOE), provides information on the civil rights of immigrant and English learner students, local educational services, and resources on how to access and succeed in college. See bilingual brochure.
IDRA produced this webinar series to provide information to families while the Consulate was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
