Immigration Enforcement: Congress Urges Trump Administration Officials to Reiterate Commitment to Uphold Plyler v. Doe

During the first week of April, members of Congress sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly asking them to uphold the educational provisions of Plyler v. Doe regarding the provision of access to a public education regardless of the child’s or parent’s immigration status.

The letter cites recent changes in immigration enforcement policies that are “creating fear, anxiety and confusion in immigrant communities” and highlights that “one way to address this concern is to ensure that school enrollment and attendance practices do not chill school participation.”

Also addressed is the issue of schools as safe spaces for children and their parents. Because Trump’s recent executive order regarding public safety in the Interior of the United States, appears to contradict previous Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies, the letter requests that the DHS issue a statement “making clear that, in spite of other changes in enforcement policy, the sensitive locations policy remains in full effect, at schools and other localities.”

TransACT’s GenEd collection offers a letter for use with school and district staff that explains the requirements set forth in the Plyler case. This notice provides information as well as links to helpful resources. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us at 425.977.2100, Option 3 or email at support@transact.com.