Immigrants

Education news, analysis, and opinion about immigrants, immigrants’ children and immigration

Tracker

Which States Are Challenging Undocumented Students’ Right to Free Education?
States are reviving efforts to challenge the 1982 Plyler v. Doe ruling that guarantees undocumented students a free, public education.
Hannah Liu, 26, of Washington, holds up a sign in support of birthright citizenship on May 15, 2025, outside of the Supreme Court in Washington. "This is enshrined in the Constitution. My parents are Chinese immigrants," says Liu. "They came here on temporary visas so I derive my citizenship through birthright."
Hannah Liu, 26, of Washington, holds up a sign in support of birthright citizenship on May 15, 2025, outside of the Supreme Court in Washington. "This is enshrined in the Constitution. My parents are Chinese immigrants," says Liu. "They came here on temporary visas so I derive my citizenship through birthright."
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Law & Courts Supreme Court Case on Birthright Citizenship Sparks Fears for School Funding
The justices are weighing whether to allow nationwide injunctions of President Donald Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship.
Mark Walsh, May 15, 2025
5 min read
Human hands created secure environment for children via home roof gesture. Adults taking care of vulnerable students.
Mary Long/iStock + Education Week
School & District Management Opinion Denver Superintendent: Why We Sued the Federal Government
Education leaders shouldn't remain apolitical in the face of immigration enforcement changes and other threats from the Trump administration.
Alex Marrero, May 9, 2025
6 min read
Illustration showing a young boy wearing a bookbag and standing on an American flag ground that is full of cracks. There is a metal fence separating him from the school building in the background.
Taylor Callery for Education Week
English Learners Do Teachers' Political Beliefs Shape Outcomes for English Learners?
Educators and experts spoke about the implications behind teachers opposing federal mandates on English learners and immigrant students.
Ileana Najarro, May 1, 2025
8 min read
Rev. Eric Mayle, center, yells at lawmakers as a bill that would deny illegal immigrants access to education is passed in a House Education Committee hearing in Nashville, Tenn., March 26, 2025.
Rev. Eric Mayle, center, yells at lawmakers as a bill that would deny illegal immigrants access to education is passed in a House Education Committee hearing in Nashville, Tenn., March 26, 2025. The bill in question is now pending until the legislature returns to session in January 2026.
George Walker IV/AP
States What States Can Learn from Tennessee’s Fight Over Undocumented Students
Legislative action challenging undocumented students' right to a free, public education hit a snag in Tennessee.
Ileana Najarro, April 25, 2025
3 min read
Illustration of a large hand holding an umbrella over a person of color who is sitting with her head in her hands.
iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being 4 Ways Schools Can Ease Student Anxiety During Trump's Immigration Crackdown
Changes in the federal immigration enforcement landscape can cause increased anxiety among all students
Caitlynn Peetz, April 25, 2025
4 min read
GettyImages 1353122771
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School & District Management School Leaders Look Out for Students as Trump Steps Up Immigration Enforcement
Experts say there are steps schools can take to proactively address mental health concerns stemming from ramped-up immigration enforcement.
Ileana Najarro & Caitlynn Peetz, April 10, 2025
6 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
English Learners Opinion English Learners May Feel Under Attack. Teachers Can Help Ease Their Fear
In a hostile political climate, teachers can best help their students by maintaining familiar routines.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 25, 2025
7 min read
Photograph of the back of a father and son (wearing a bookbag) holding hands while walking down a brick-paved sidewalk.
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Budget & Finance What Trump's Mass Deportations Could Mean for School Budgets
Federal threats against immigrants could depress local and state funding for schools and cause a spike in chronic absenteeism.
Mark Lieberman, March 24, 2025
13 min read
Custom illustration of an open book with the left side showing the blue and stars of the American flag and the right side of the book showing the red stripes of the American flag with the silhouette of a sad young boy behind the stripes/bars. His head is looking down and he is wearing a school book bag.
Taylor Callery for Education Week
English Learners Data Political Divides Shape Educators’ Views on English Learners’ Rights
Educators are divided along political lines on rights for English learners and immigrant students, an EdWeek Research Center survey found.
1 min read
President Trump signing an executive order.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington.
Evan Vucci/AP
Federal Can Trump Do That? Which Actions on Education Are Legal, and Which Ones Aren't
A guide to President Trump's actions and whether or not they're legal or constitutional.
Mark Lieberman & Brooke Schultz, March 11, 2025
14 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Let Us 'Talk Openly': What Students Want Right Now
Fearful, students explain that they want educators to help them understand what's going on.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 7, 2025
7 min read
Clayton Hubert is an art teacher who wears many hats as an educator, including driving the school bus each morning, as seen here on Jan. 16, 2025, in Lamberton, Minn.
Clayton Hubert, an art teacher, wears many hats as an educator, including driving the school bus some mornings, as seen here on Jan. 16, 2025, in Lamberton, Minn. Many teachers say the expectations of the role have grown far beyond classroom instruction.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Teaching Profession Teaching in 2025: ‘Every Day Is a Crazy Day. It’s Fine.’
The profession is changing, and it's more challenging than ever. Resilient teachers are adapting. But at what cost?
26 min read
Adult hands cupping a set of youth hands with compassion.
Fizkes/iStoc/Getty
Student Well-Being Opinion A Child Took Her Own Life After Being Bullied. Schools Must Take Notice
Making sure that children are safe in schools is not a political issue, it is a matter of humanity.
Marc Brackett, Diana Divecha & Robin Stern, March 3, 2025
5 min read
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt answers a question while taking part in a panel discussion during a Republican Governors Association conference, Nov. 16, 2022, in Orlando, Fla.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt answers a question while taking part in a panel discussion during a Republican Governors Association conference, Nov. 16, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. The governor recently opposed a rule from the state's superintendent of public instruction requiring proof of citizenship in school enrollment.
Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP
States Proof of Legal Status to Enroll in an Oklahoma School? It's Complicated
Public schools don’t track the number of undocumented students enrolled due to a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Ileana Najarro, February 28, 2025
4 min read