Immigration-Status Queries Still a Problem

Illinois cautions districts on what they can seek in confirming residency.

Concerned that school districts continue to violate the rights of some immigrant children, the Illinois state board of education is toughening a regulation that bars school officials from inquiring about a student’s immigration status or requiring parents to provide a Social Security number or papers that a person who is living illegally in the country doesn’t have.

The revised rule, expected to go into effect by early next month, was approved March 22 and is among efforts to make sure districts comply with the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe , which said that undocumented children have the right to a free K-12 education in this country.

Like many other states, Illinois sends out information every year spelling out that school officials must respect that right...