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A message from League of United Latin American Citizens



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View as web page:

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Photo Credit: MALDEF in History, Plyler v. Doe

June 15, 2023
Contact: David Cruz - (818) 689-9991 Mobile
[email protected]



LULAC CELEBRATES THE LANDMARK CASE THAT ENSURED EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR
IMMIGRANT CHILDREN
=================================================================================


Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Marks the 41st
Anniversary of Plyler v. Doe

Washington, DC - LULAC commemorates the 41st Anniversary of Plyler v. Doe, a
landmark court case that solidified the right of undocumented immigrant children
to receive an education in the United States. The significance of this ruling
cannot be overstated, as it marked a pivotal moment in the fight for equal access
to education for all children, regardless of their immigration status.

"As we celebrate the 41st Anniversary of Plyler v. Doe, LULAC stands firmly
committed to upholding the principles of equal access to education for all
children," As a law student at Thurgood Marshall law school, I helped do some
research for the attorneys handling the case and today this law has changed the
lives of millions of children, "says Domingo Garcia, LULAC national president.
"We recognize the value of diversity and inclusivity in our schools, and we
reaffirm our dedication to creating an educational system that fosters the growth
and development of every child, regardless of their background," he adds.

In 1975, the Texas Legislature passed an amendment that excluded a specific group
of children from schools. However, thanks to the unwavering determination of
courageous parents and advocates across multiple school districts, a strong
stance was taken to secure the educational future of these children, even at
significant personal risk.


Photo Credit: Arthur Rothstein, photographer. Nursery school playground. Robstown
camp, Texas. 1942. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

The Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) played a crucial role
in providing extensive information for one of the initial court cases addressing
the education of undocumented children in Texas, Doe v. Plyler (1978). Dr. José
A. Cárdenas, the founder of IDRA, served as an expert witness for the Mexican
American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) during the trial in Tyler.
At the same time, Dr. Albert Cortez, IDRA's retired policy director, testified in
court cases in Houston and Dallas.

“The actions of the Texas legislature led to some districts demanding proof of
citizenship,” says Dr. Angela Valenzuela, LULAC national higher education
committee co-chair. “Also, the state withheld state funding of schools to
districts with undocumented students in them. The full history of what happened
still has to be written. The Supreme Court decision formed the constitutional
backbone that protected the rights of the immigrant youth population to a public
education. We must preserve both the 14th Amendment and all students' rights to a
public-school education,” adds Valenzuela.

IDRA's findings showed that the districts' poverty status stemmed from an unjust
and inequitable school finance system. The presence or absence of undocumented
children did not determine the poverty levels of these districts, further
exposing the fallacy behind blaming these children for the financial challenges
the schools faced.

Finally, on June 15, 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a historic ruling
mandating that public schools must serve all children, including undocumented
children. The Court recognized that denying enrollment to students based on their
immigration status violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and
Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Garcia concludes, "As we move forward, LULAC will continue to fight for
comprehensive immigration reform to tackle the needs of immigrant communities,
including ensuring equitable access to education for all children. We call on
policymakers at all levels to prioritize the well-being and future of our
nation's children by supporting inclusive educational policies that foster
diversity, promote cultural understanding, and empower every student to reach
their full potential."

# # #

About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and
oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans
and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000
councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and
advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of
today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org [ [link removed] ] .















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