Dispelling controversies surrounding public education for undocumented students

Although legally guaranteed access to free public education by the Supreme Court, the actions and policy objectives of the current administration have led many immigrant families to worry about the safety and education of their children. The conservative and nationalistic fervor of the administration has rekindled sentiments among citizens throughout the country, who question the rights and statuses of immigrants in the United States. Many such immigration controversies revolve around the education of immigrant children.

Some American citizens claim that the entry of undocumented students into the public school system across the countries is problematic in that it allows immigrant children to take advantage of a free and public good without contributing to it. In other words, they believe that undocumented immigrants do not deserve free access to public education and that these children are stealing important educational resources away from American children. This is a common misconception in the United States that can easily be dispelled. Those who believe that undocumented immigrant families do not pay taxes or complete other American duties need only consider the automatic sales and property tax added when these families purchase literally anything, like clothing or groceries, and buy or rent homes. In fact, according to a study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the families of undocumented immigrants pay $11 billion in annual state and local taxes. Legal guarantees to education aside, these families pay their share of taxes and contribute to the localized systems through which their children receive education.

Another upsetting misconception surrounding the access of undocumented students to public education involves the notion that immigrant children are more susceptible to violence, gangs, and other illicit activity in schools. While it is true that other components of their lives cause struggles for immigrant students and put them at risk of dropping out or becoming involved in such activities, these students seek out their schools as sanctuaries and cannot be denied the opportunity that comes with education. Indeed, the Washington Post states that “advocates agree that schools play a key role in shaping the path that students take after they arrive.” Not to mention the fact that according to The Atlantic, rescinding these kids’ rights to free public education would do nothing to change immigration trends, but it would leave immigrant children idle with “limited skills” and “scarce employment opportunities” even more susceptible to the very actions feared above.

Undocumented children should have their schools to function as a sanctuary and safe space for them, and their education is a right that they both urgently need and deserve.