Friend,

It’s back-to-school time for millions of students across the country. Unfortunately, for many undocumented immigrants in public schools that means possibly confronting the “school-to-deportation pipeline.”

If you’ve never heard that term, here is how it can work: A couple of years ago, a high school sophomore named Alex, whose family had come to the U.S. to seek asylum, doodled the name of his Honduran hometown and his high school mascot on a desk. School administrators misinterpreted these drawings as gang symbols and gave Alex a three-day suspension, which was reported to immigration officials. Alex was then detained and eventually deported — all for drawing on his desk in class.

What’s worse — this story isn’t unique. Though undocumented students are guaranteed public education under the 1982 Supreme Court ruling in Plyer v. Doe, many young immigrants still face threat of deportation as a result of zero tolerance discipline and policing practices.

Friend, schools should be a safe haven and learning environment for students — not a place where they are drawn into the dragnet of immigration authorities.

Although the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced it will limit immigration enforcement in or near schools, young undocumented students still face risks. Schools can protect undocumented students by ending the practice of sharing data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is not required by law. It’s critical that we prioritize the safety of our children and young loved ones so they can learn and thrive in school.

We are calling on U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to act before another student becomes a victim of the school-to-deportation pipeline. Add your name to our petition to make our schools safe for all students >>>

Thank you for standing in solidarity with immigrant students and their loved ones.

!Sí Se Puede!

Marielena Hincapié
Executive Director
National Immigration Law Center