All students in the U.S. have a constitutionally protected right to education regardless of immigration status, supported by multiple legal frameworks:

FEDERAL PROTECTIONS

Plyler v. Doe (1982): Supreme Court ruling guarantees free public education for all children and prohibits states from creating enrollment barriers

Resources: Plyler Fact Sheet, Plyler Questions and Answers

FERPA: Protects student record confidentiality, limiting information sharing with third parties including immigration officials except under specific legal circumstances

CALIFORNIA STATE LAWS

AB 699 (Safe Schools for Immigrant Students): AB 699 Implementation Fact Sheet

• Prohibits collecting immigration status information
• Requires policies preventing immigration enforcement on campus
• Forbids immigration status-based discrimination

Education Code § 234.1: Explicitly prohibits discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on immigration status

RESOURCES

Immigration and California families (all languages)

• State of California Immigration Website

Know Your Educational Rights-Guide for Students and Families (English)

• Immigration Enforcement Actions at California Schools

Know Your Educational Rights-Guide for Students and Families (Spanish)

• Immigration Enforcement Actions at California Schools (Spanish)

Family Preparedness Safety Plan (English)

• Step by Step Family Preparedness Plan

Family Preparedness Safety Plan (Spanish)

• Plan De Preparación Familiar

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles:

• Visit the LAFLA Website

National Immigration Legal Services Directory:

• Find a Legal Advocate

Watch: We have Rights Videos in multiple languages:

• We Have Rights Website