Latest news with #Plyler
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- General
- Boston Globe
Mass. needs to codify education rights for immigrant students
Their courage would lead to the landmark 1982 Supreme Court Advertisement I learned the details of this inspiring story while researching my book 'Making Americans: Stories of Historic Struggles, New Ideas, and Inspiration in Immigrant Education. ' But now some states are challenging some of my students' right to an education. In the past several months, Advertisement The court made the right decision in 1982. And it is the right decision now. It is right because the Constitution is clear: The 14th Amendment guarantees that 'no person' within the country's jurisdiction can be denied 'equal protection of the laws.' The promise extends to all persons, without qualification. As Federal District Judge William Justice, who first heard the case in 1977, wrote, denying undocumented students access to education would create a permanent underclass. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., who authored the court's 1982 decision, wrote that denying undocumented students access to education would impose a 'lifetime hardship' that would be harmful to children and to the 'progress of our nation.' Public school teachers know that immigrant students — regardless of their documentation status — bring extraordinary strengths to our classrooms that benefit all students and their communities. I hope that the Supreme Court will hold firm on the crucial role of education, even as we see once-sacrosanct rights stripped away. In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature had the foresight to Similarly, the Legislature should take proactive steps to protect the right to education for all children in the Commonwealth. Advertisement The State House is currently considering a bill that would codify Plyler at the state level as well as current federal provisions and guidance that protect immigrating students with disabilities and ensure immigrant families have access to qualified interpreters when interacting with schools. Nearly 400 years ago, just three blocks from the state Capitol, Massachusetts opened our country's first public school. We know the vital role education plays for children, for communities, and for the future of the country. The Legislature should affirm that education is vital for the success of Massachusetts and secure the promise of education for every child in our Commonwealth.
NBC News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Tennessee pauses bill targeting right to education regardless of immigration status
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have paused a bill meant to challenge the constitutional right for children to attend public schools regardless of their immigration status. Instead, with time waning in the legislative session, they are asking U.S. officials for guidance on whether the bill would jeopardize federal education funding. The direction announced Monday by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, the bill sponsor, diminishes the chances for the bill to pass this year as lawmakers prepare for a likely adjournment this week. The Tennessee Journal first reported on Lamberth's decision. Hundreds of children have packed the Tennessee Capitol this year to oppose the bill that takes aim at the protection established by the landmark 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe. That decades-old decision struck down a Texas law that sought to deny enrollment to any student not 'legally admitted' into the country. The Republican-controlled Tennessee Senate has already passed a version of the bill, which would require proof of legal residence to enroll in public K-12 public schools and would give school districts the option — but not the requirement — of turning away students who fail to provide proper documentation or to charge them tuition. The House version, which remains idle in a subcommittee, differs by letting public schools check immigration status, rather than requiring it. Lamberth noted that Tennessee receives approximately $1.1 billion in federal education money annually. 'We fully trust the Trump Administration will not withhold federal dollars from our schools due to the passage of House Bill 793/Senate Bill 836,' Lamberth said. 'However, out of an abundance of caution, we want to be exceptionally careful before we move forward to ensure no federal taxpayer dollars are at risk.' A growing number of conservative leaders are pushing states to overturn Plyler v. Doe — including the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation. Tennessee's Republican lawmakers were among the most aggressive in pursuing the idea that directly contradicts Supreme Court precedent. Proponents of the bill have largely downplayed denying children the right to education, but instead have focused on the fiscal impact states are facing in educating children residing in the U.S. illegally. However, it's unclear whether the bill would result in any savings. In opposition, student have broken down in tears in front of legislative committees, distraught over their classmates being removed from their school and worries over who might be next. Some advocates applauded Monday's news but cautioned the bill isn't dead until lawmakers gavel out for the year. 'What's undeniable is this: lawmakers have been forced to acknowledge the overwhelming, bipartisan opposition from across the state to targeting children and denying them an education,' said Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition. Lawmakers and other conservative supporters repeatedly point to the 5-4 vote that determined Plyler in 1982, arguing that the narrow margin means there's a better chance the precedent could be overturned by the current Supreme Court. Notably, the court has overturned the right to abortion.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee pauses bill targeting right to education regardless of immigration status
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have paused a bill meant to challenge the constitutional right for children to attend public schools regardless of their immigration status. Instead, with time waning in the legislative session, they are asking U.S. officials for guidance on whether the bill would jeopardize federal education funding. The direction announced Monday by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, the bill sponsor, diminishes the chances for the bill to pass this year as lawmakers prepare for a likely adjournment this week. The Tennessee Journal first reported on Lamberth's decision. Hundreds of children have packed the Tennessee Capitol this year to oppose the bill that takes aim at the protection established by the landmark 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe. That decades-old decision struck down a Texas law that sought to deny enrollment to any student not 'legally admitted' into the country. The Republican-controlled Tennessee Senate has already passed a version of the bill, which would require proof of legal residence to enroll in public K-12 public schools and allows schools to either turn away students who fail to provide proper documentation or charge them tuition. The House version, which remains idle in a subcommittee, differs by letting public schools check immigration status, rather than requiring it. Lamberth noted that Tennessee receives approximately $1.1 billion in federal education money annually. 'We fully trust the Trump Administration will not withhold federal dollars from our schools due to the passage of House Bill 793/Senate Bill 836,' Lamberth said. 'However, out of an abundance of caution, we want to be exceptionally careful before we move forward to ensure no federal taxpayer dollars are at risk.' A growing number of conservative leaders are pushing states to overturn Plyler v. Doe — including the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation. Tennessee's Republican lawmakers were among the most aggressive in pursuing the idea that directly contradicts Supreme Court precedent. Proponents of the bill have largely downplayed denying children the right to education, but instead have focused on the fiscal impact states are facing in educating children residing in the U.S. illegally. However, it's unclear whether the bill would result in any savings. In opposition, student have broken down in tears in front of legislative committees, distraught over their classmates being removed from their school and worries over who might be next. Lawmakers and other conservative supporters repeatedly point to the 5-4 vote that determined Plyler in 1982, arguing that the narrow margin means there's a better chance the precedent could be overturned by the current Supreme Court. Notably, the court has overturned the right to abortion.
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Tennessee pauses bill targeting right to education regardless of immigration status
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have paused a bill meant to challenge the constitutional right for children to attend public schools regardless of their immigration status. Instead, with time waning in the legislative session, they are asking U.S. officials for guidance on whether the bill would jeopardize federal education funding. The direction announced Monday by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, the bill sponsor, diminishes the chances for the bill to pass this year as lawmakers prepare for a likely adjournment this week. The Tennessee Journal first reported on Lamberth's decision. Hundreds of children have packed the Tennessee Capitol this year to oppose the bill that takes aim at the protection established by the landmark 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe. That decades-old decision struck down a Texas law that sought to deny enrollment to any student not 'legally admitted' into the country. The Republican-controlled Tennessee Senate has already passed a version of the bill, which would require proof of legal residence to enroll in public K-12 public schools and allows schools to either turn away students who fail to provide proper documentation or charge them tuition. The House version, which remains idle in a subcommittee, differs by letting public schools check immigration status, rather than requiring it. Lamberth noted that Tennessee receives approximately $1.1 billion in federal education money annually. 'We fully trust the Trump Administration will not withhold federal dollars from our schools due to the passage of House Bill 793/Senate Bill 836,' Lamberth said. 'However, out of an abundance of caution, we want to be exceptionally careful before we move forward to ensure no federal taxpayer dollars are at risk.' A growing number of conservative leaders are pushing states to overturn Plyler v. Doe — including the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation. Tennessee's Republican lawmakers were among the most aggressive in pursuing the idea that directly contradicts Supreme Court precedent. Proponents of the bill have largely downplayed denying children the right to education, but instead have focused on the fiscal impact states are facing in educating children residing in the U.S. illegally. Lawmakers and other conservative supporters repeatedly point to the 5-4 vote that determined Plyler in 1982, arguing that the narrow margin means there's a better chance the precedent could be overturned by the current Supreme Court. Notably, the court has overturned the right to abortion.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee Senate wants to kick undocumented kids out of school
It's fundamentally cruel to turn away children from public schools based on their immigration status, but the Tennessee Senate advanced a bill that would let its schools do just that. State Sen. Bo Watson has argued that his legislation is about easing financial pressure on school districts, but the bill is more about scapegoating immigrant communities and forcing needless suffering upon their kids. 'Our education system has limited resources, which should be prioritized for students who are legally present in the country,' Watson said earlier this year. Referring to local education agencies, he said, 'An influx of illegal immigration can strain LEAs and put significant pressure on their budgets.' He said his bill empowers local governments to manage their resources more effectively and 'builds upon the legislative action taken during the special session to address illegal immigration at the local level.' The bill that the Tennessee Senate passed is a direct challenge to Plyler v. Doe, the 1982 Supreme Court ruling that stopped Texas' plan to let local school districts either deny admission to undocumented schoolchildren or charge them tuition. In a 5-4 ruling, the court said the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause means that all children in this country have access to public education. Justice William J. Brennan Jr. noted in the majority opinion that the provisions of the equal protection clause are 'universal in their application, to all persons within the territorial jurisdiction, without regard to any differences of race, color, or nationality.' Plyler v. Doe made clear that these protections apply to all 'people' within the United States, not just citizens. This principle has been central to the law for more than four decades and has prevented states from using immigration status to deprive children of their right to attend public school. But, as you might imagine, the battle over Plyler v. Doe has never truly ended. Republican lawmakers and conservative legal groups have repeatedly pushed to overturn it and dismantle the protections it provides. For them, erasing Plyler is not just about reversing a single Supreme Court case; it's also about stripping away a core pillar of the 14th Amendment's promise. Similar bills have been proposed in Texas and Oklahoma. Tennessee's bill has now been moved to its lower chamber, and immigrant communities across the state are fighting to stop it from becoming law. Lisa Sherman Luna, the executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, told me in an email: 'Even in the face of unrelenting attacks on their humanity, immigrant families have responded to this latest threat to their children's futures with power, not panic.' She said, 'Tennesseans across race, class, and immigration status recognize the harm these policies would have not only on the children of our state but the entire nation, and have been calling their lawmakers, showing up in committees, and organizing actions in districts to make sure their voices were heard.' Local parents and educators have also been vocal in their opposition. 'I am Latino. My kids have Latino names. And while this bill is targeted directly towards immigrants, it's primarily, in my opinion, targeted towards the Latino community.' Hamilton County teacher Kyle Carrasco said. 'So I fear, just in general, that they'll have to kind of negotiate some of these stigmas.' 'Unchecked illegal migration over the past three years has possibly cost the public education system billions of dollars,' according to a 2024 post from the Heritage Foundation. 'Large influxes of non-English-speaking children also have a negative effect on the classroom. Not only must the federal government secure the border and prevent illegal migration, but states can, and must, also take action.' What Watson and the Heritage Foundation don't acknowledge is the undeniable human cost of kicking children out of schools. And the cost to the United States if we normalize the idea that the circumstances of their birth define children's worth. Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center, said in an email that, 'We're seeing a groundswell of opposition to this extreme bill, and we're going to keep fighting to make sure it doesn't pass. But if it does, we're ready to respond accordingly.' A fundamental promise of the 14th Amendment is that all people will be afforded equal protection under the law. That's what's at stake here. It's not the only place it's at stake, obviously, but in this case, conservatives — and not for the first time — are seeking to block the schoolhouse doors to children. This article was originally published on
