Education Trends: Immigrant Students In The US Prevented From Enrolling In Schools

Immigrant students in the U.S. have been denied enrollment in schools. Georgetown University Law Center released a report stating that children without a legal status were either turned away from classrooms or are made to face very long delays in enrollment.

The prohibition unduly imposed on immigrant students to be enrolled in schools stemmed from arbitrary interpretation of some school districts of education policies. Some factors that they consider before allowing immigrant students in the U.S. to be enrolled include residency and pertinent state laws. This, however, runs contrary to existing education laws which allow all children, regardless of immigration status to attend school.

Law imposes mandatory education up to 16 years of age.

Seattle Times said that by law, all children must attend school until they turn 16. This is compulsory in all 50 states. Being compulsory in nature, there is no room for interpretation from school districts, so as to result in the prohibition of immigrant students to attend school.

One law student from Georgetown, Mikaela Harris, said, "U.S. law is clear on this point - no child in the United States should be excluded from public education." While this law may have been drafter to ensure protection of children's rights, such has not been carefully observed in some school districts.

Changes in school district policies may be necessary. 

A recent case in Long Island has been brought to the limelight after immigrant students complained that they were denied enrollment. CBS New York reported that the Westbury School District had an implied policy that English language learners aged 16 years old and above are excluded from high school. These students are then diverted to take non-degree education programs.

New York Attorney General Eric Scheiderman acted on the matter compelling the said school district to change its policies. Looking at things from a different perspective, one thing that worsened the situation of immigrant students in the U.S. was Obama administration's immigration policies.

In 2014, the increasing number of illegal crossing prompted the government to deport tens of thousands of Central American families and children. This situation led many students to skip school out of fear of being deported.