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.pdf

• 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)
Immigration and California families

Know Your Educational Rights-Guide for Students and Families (English)
Immigration-Enforcement Actions at California Schools.pdf

Know Your Educational Rights-Guide for Students and Families (Spanish)
Immigration-Enforcement Actions at California Schools-es.pdf

Family Preparedness Safety Plan (English)
Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan ENG FULL Nov 2024.pdf

Family Preparedness Safety Plan (Spanish)
Plan De Preparación Familiar Nov 2024.pdf

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles: LAFLA

Immigration Legal Services Directory: National Immigration Legal Services Directory

Watch: We have Rights Videos in multiple languages: We Have Rights