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Keeping Parents Informed - Charter Transparency » Immigration Resources and Support

Immigration Resources and Support

Your Child has the Right to a Free Public Education

All children in the United States have a Constitutional right to equal access to free public education, regardless of immigration status and regardless of the immigration status of the students’ parents or guardians.

In California:

  • All children have the right to a free public education.
  • All children ages 6 to 18 years must be enrolled in school.
  • All students and staff have the right to attend safe, secure, and peaceful schools.
  • All students have a right to be in a public school learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, violence, and intimidation.
  • All students have equal opportunity to participate in any program or activity offered by the school, and cannot be discriminated against based on their race, nationality, gender, religion, or immigration status, among other characteristics.

Information Required for School Enrollment

When enrolling a child, schools must accept a variety of documents from the student’s parent or guardian to demonstrate proof of child’s age or residency.

You never have to provide information about citizenship/immigration status to have your child enrolled in school.  Also, you never have to provide a Social Security number to have your child enrolled in school.

Confidentiality of Personal Information

Federal and state laws protect student education records and personal information. These laws generally require that schools get written consent from parents or guardians before releasing student information, unless the release of information is for educational purposes, is already public, or is in response to a court order or subpoena.

Some schools collect and provide publicly basic student “directory information.” If they do, then each year, your child’s school district must provide parents/guardians with written notice of the school’s directory information policy, and let you know of your option to refuse release of your child’s information in the directory.

Campus Access

Value Schools does not permit immigration enforcement officers to enter nonpublic areas of a school site for immigration enforcement activity unless they present a valid judicial warrant or court order.

Family preparedness (optional but encouraged)

Keep your child’s emergency contacts up to date, including a trusted adult as an alternative contact.

Consider completing a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit so a trusted adult can enroll your child and make certain medical decisions if needed.

Right to File a Complaint

Your child has the right to report a hate crime or file a complaint to the school district if he or she is discriminated against, harassed, intimidated, or bullied on the basis of his or her actual or perceived nationality, ethnicity, or immigration status.

To learn more or to file a complaint: CA DOJ Bureau of Children’s Justice
Phone: (800) 952-5225 | Email: [email protected]

Resources

BAILA (Benefits Access For Immigrants Los Angeles) Network: https://www.bailanetwork.org/

CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights): https://www.chirla.org/

CARECEN (Central American Resource Center of Los Angeles): https://carecen-la.org

 

Know Your Rights Handouts below