States Challenge Education Access for Undocumented Children

Some states are questioning a long-standing rule that allows undocumented children to access public education for free.

In 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed in Plyler v. Doe that immigrant students have the right to attend public schools without charge. This decision arose after Texas implemented a law in 1975 that permitted school districts to charge tuition to undocumented students or deny them enrollment.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Texas law was repealed. This established a national precedent that all public schools in the U.S. must educate all students, regardless of their immigration status.