[Illegal] Immigration: US warns schools against bias

The Obama administration said Thursday that troubling reports continue of school districts raising barriers to enrollment for children brought into the U.S. illegally.

The Justice Department and Education Department issued new guidance reminding schools and districts they have a legal obligation to enroll every student regardless of their immigration status. The guidance says schools should be flexible in deciding which documents they will accept to prove a student's age or residency.

It also reminds them not to ask about a student's immigration status or require documents such as a driver's license, if that would prevent a student from enrolling because of a parent's immigration status.

The Education Department said it has received 17 complaints since 2011 from states including Colorado, North Carolina, Ohio, Louisiana, Michigan, New Mexico and the District of Columbia.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in some instances, school leaders have inappropriately required information such as a child's visa status or date of entry into the United States ...

Children brought into the U.S. illegally are guaranteed the right to a K-12 education under the 1982 Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe ...