Late last week the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education issued a notice reminding state and local agencies that all children, regardless of their parents’ real or perceived immigration status, are given the right to equal access to public education at the elementary and secondary level. The two federal departments noted that they had received information that there have been recent incidences in the U.S. in which student enrollment was hindered based on a child’s family’s immigration status. The agencies remind all stakeholders that such practices go against federal law and that all children residing in the U.S. must be given equal educational opportunities.

As stated in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and supported by mandates from the Supreme Court, state and local educational agencies cannot discriminate on the basis of race, color or national origin and students cannot be barred from enrolling in elementary or secondary-level public school on the basis of their citizenship or immigration status of that of their parents. Any such infringement is a form of unlawful discrimination.

Read the full message at: http://1.usa.gov/jsRUJX