We Need Clarity About the Federal Law Requiring All Children on U.S. Soil to Receive Free Public Education, Regardless of Immigration Status

13Jul
by Leticia Chavez-Garcia

Students in Detroit are fighting in federal court for access to literacy. We are living in a chaotic and truly shameful moment in time where a white judge in Detroit can’t decide that kids of color have the right to learn to read in the exact same moment that immigrant children held captive by the United States in illegal concentration camps by the Trump administration are forced into schools immediately because “federal law requires that all children on American soil receive a free public education, regardless of their immigration status.“

Thousands of children have been taken from their parents at various ports of entry in the United States and now stand in limbo awaiting trials to be charged as criminals for the “crime” of presenting at the border with their parents. Presenting yourself at the border to claim asylum is not a crime. Under international law, individuals who are fleeing their home countries must be allowed to commit their claims for asylum. Because the U.S. is not following international laws and norms, thousands of Central American children are now in custody all across the country.  These children are all required to be enrolled in school, which consists of instruction in these kiddie jails.

What kind of instruction is required for these immigrant children, since it’s still debatable we have to teach them anything, according to a Detroit judge anyway?

Just to be clear, there is a federal law requiring all kids have access to learning. I suppose that is the least we can do since our government has essentially kidnapped these children, and they are currently being held hostage as political pawns for the current president to use as bargaining leverage. This is an evil and twisted maneuver by the United States. Yet, it remains to be seen what kind of “education” these poor kids will be subjected too.

What do you think?

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Leticia Chavez-Garcia

Leticia Chavez-Garcia is a Mother, Grandmother, former Middle School Teacher, former Member of a School Board of Education and an Education Advocate for hundreds of parents and students in the Inland Empire. Having become a mother at 15, Leticia knows what it’s like to be a single mother trying to navigate the education system. Leticia received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Public Administration from California Baptist University and a Masters’ Degree in Education Technology from Cal State Fullerton in her 30’s. Leticia has used her knowledge and experience to help hundreds of families as an Education Advocate in the Inland Empire and currently works as an Education Specialist.

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