Supporting Immigrant Students and Families
Supporting Immigrant Students and Families
All students in the U.S. have a constitutionally protected right to education regardless of immigration status, supported by multiple legal frameworks:
Federal Protections
Plyler v. Doe (1982): Supreme Court ruling guarantees free public education for all children and prohibits states from creating enrollment barriers.
Resource: Plyler Fact Sheet & Questions and Answers
FERPA: Protects student record confidentiality, limiting information sharing with third parties, including immigration officials, except under specific legal circumstances.
California State Laws
AB 699 (Safe Schools for Immigrant Students): Implementation Fact Sheet
- Prohibits collecting immigration status information
- Requires policies preventing immigration enforcement on campus
- Forbids immigration status-based discrimination
Education Code § 234.1: Explicitly prohibits discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on immigration status.
Resources
- Immigration and California Families (all languages)
- Know Your Educational Rights – Guide for Students and Families (English)
- Know Your Educational Rights – Guide for Students and Families (Spanish)
- Family Preparedness Safety Plan (English)
- Family Preparedness Safety Plan (Spanish)
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
- National Immigration Legal Services Directory
- Watch: We Have Rights videos (multiple languages)