01/22/2025
Guidance about Immigrant Students' Rights to Attend Public Schools (from Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction):
IMMIGRANT STUDENTS' RIGHTS TO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Plyler vs. Doe (457 U.S. 202 (1982)) that undocumented children and young adults have the same right to attend public primary and secondary schools as do U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Like other children, undocumented students are obliged under state law to attend school until they reach a mandated age. As a result of the Plyler ruling, public schools may not:
1. Deny admission to a student during initial enrollment or at any other time on the basis of undocumented status.
2. Treat a student differently to determine residency.
3. Engage in any practices to "chill" the right of access to school.
4. Require students or parents to disclose or document their immigration status.
5. Make inquiries of students or parents that may expose their undocumented status.
6. Require social security numbers from all students, as this may expose undocumented status. (Adults without social security numbers who are applying for a free lunch and/or breakfast program on behalf of a student need only indicate on the application that they do not have a social security number.)
A school district may not request a student's or parent's social security number unless it (1) informs the individual that disclosure is voluntary, (2) provides the statutory or other legal basis for why the district is requesting the number, and (3) explains how the district will use the number.
Districts are strongly discouraged from requesting social security numbers to avoid any chilling effect that this request may have on the enrollment of students because of their race, color, national origin, citizenship, or immigration status.
Changes in the F-1 (Student) Visa Program do not alter the Plyler obligations to undocumented children. These changes apply only to students who apply for a student visa from outside the U.S.
Finally, school personnel -- especially building principals and those involved with student intake activities -- should be aware that they have no legal obligation to enforce U.S. immigration laws. (U.S. Supreme Court, 1982)
IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES AT SCHOOL
Washington public schools must not initiate engagement with federal immigration authorities for the purpose of sharing student information. It is inconsistent with our state and federal constitutional mandates to serve every student. Before a Washington public school complies with a warrant, judicial order, or subpoena, it must make reasonable efforts to inform the student and/or parents of the warrant, judicial order, or subpoena well enough in advance to give the student and/or parents time to seek a protective order. This is true unless the warrant, judicial order, or subpoena specifically orders the school to refrain from such notification.
https://ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/equity-and-civil-rights/immigrant-students-rights-attend-public-schools
