EVERY CHILD’S RIGHT TO LEARN: Resources for Navigating Your Public Schools

on August 20, 2019 in K-12 Education

WELCOME TO YOUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Under federal law, public schools—traditional or charter—are free and available for every child in the United States, no matter their immigration status. But the current climate of fear and division is giving many families mixed messages about whether they belong.

That’s why UnidosUS has just launched a back-to-school campaign in fall 2019 to make sure everyone feels welcome. On this webpage, educators, parents, and students can find numerous know-your-rights resources in the form of factsheets, webinars, and web links to our wide coalition of partner organizations.

These resources include information on historical court cases that paved the way for equal access to education. For example, Lau vs. Nichols guarantees that schools make every effort to support English learners, and Plyler vs. Doe ensures that undocumented students have the right to attend U.S. public schools. In addition, earlier this summer UnidosUS published an LGBTQIA+ handbook to raise awareness and stop discrimination and bullying against Latinx youth coming out or identifying as LGBTQIA+.

Welcoming Immigrant Students & Families

Learn about how we can center the experiences of our immigrant students and families to create welcoming schools for all students. This resource is intended to support students, families, educators and program staff working with immigrant communities across a variety of settings. The resource is based on the recognition that a climate of fear exists within our education system and more broadly, in the United States. Every child in this country has a right to learn. Our current educational climate produces profoundly negative impacts upon immigrant children and children that come from mix status household’s learning and development, and that paired with knowing the rights of students, programs and parents can enact simple, effective strategies to protect and defend their children’s development amid the current climate.

General Resources/Recursos Generales

NCLR Plyer vs Doe Statement by UnidosUS
Undocumented Students’ Rights in K-12 Ed by GLSEN

Student & Family Resources

Know your rights: Students or parents who are immigrants or undocumented by UnidosUS
What Families and Educators Need to Know About ICE Raids by UnidosUS
Video Games About Immigration by CommonSense Media
How To Talk With Your Kids About The Border Situation by CommonSense Media
Resources for Undocumented High School Students by My Documented Life
Unaccompanied Children in Schools: What You Need to Know by Colorin Colorado
How to Recognize Fake News by CommonSense Media
- Video
ImmSchools Back to School Campaign: Supporting Undocumented Students and Families- Its Back to School Season! In the month of August, ImmSchools will be highlighting four key best practices for educators to adopt when supporting undocumented students and families in schools. Follow us @immschools via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

Educator, CBO & Affiliate Resources

Raising Children in a Climate of Fear: A UnidosUS Resource for Programs Serving Latino Children & Families by UnidosUS
Frequently Asked Questions For School Officials: What To Do If Ice Shows Up At Your School by FIRM
FAQ For Educators On Immigrant Students In Public Schools by ACLU
Dear Colleague Letter: School Enrollment Procedures from USDOE Office for Civil Rights
Four Ways School Leaders Can Support Immigrant Students by Nancy Gutierrez
Immigrant and Refugee Children: A Guide for Educators and School Support Staff by Teaching Tolerance
What Teachers Supporting Undocumented Students Should Know by Teach For America
At this High School, Immigrant Students Are Out to Smash Your Expectations by Teach For America
ImmSchools Description: ImmSchools is an immigrant led nonprofit organization that partners with schools and school districts to support the unique needs of undocumented and immigrant students and families in K-12 schools. As part of our program, we facilitate workshops for immigrant students and parents on their immigrant and education rights, lead professional development for educators and support school and district leaders to implement immigrant friendly practices. Through our work, we aim to ensure undocumented students and families, regardless of their immigration status, are able to reach their full potential. To bring ImmSchools to your school, please contact [email protected].
- Inclusive Visuals for Immigrant Students
IDRA Infographic – Welcoming Immigrant Students in School
Supporting Immigrant Students & Families- Educator Resource Guide

Welcoming LGBTQIA+ Students

Learn about how we can center the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students and their families to create welcoming schools for all students. This resource is intended to support students, families, educators and program staff working with LGBTQIA+ students across a variety of settings. The resource is based on the recognition that a climate of fear exists within our education system and more broadly, in the United States. Every child in this country has a right to learn. Our current educational climate produces profoundly negative impacts upon LGBTQIA+ student’s learning and development, and that paired with knowing the rights of students, programs and parents can enact simple, effective strategies to protect and defend their children’s development amid the current climate.

General Resources