Plyler v. Doe & Inquiries into Legal Status

As established in Plyler v. Doe, the undocumented or non-citizen status of a student (or his/her parent/guardian) is irrelevant to that student’s entitlement to elementary and secondary public education. 

Legally, K–12 school personnel may not inquire about the immigration status of students or their parents/guardians. However, if a student feels comfortable sharing about their specific legal status, school staff, faculty and counselors are better able to provide them with information on different options relative to their situation. Obviously, an open relationship with school personnel is an important part of assisting students in finding appropriate resources related to postsecondary planning.

Plyler v. Doe & Inquiries into Legal Status

Como se establece en Plyler v. Doe, el estatus del estudiante indocumentado o no ciudadano (o su padre/tutor) es irrelevante para el derecho de ese estudiante a la educacion pública primaria y secundaria. 

Legalmente, el personal de las escuelas de K–12 no puede preguntar sobre el estatus migratorio del estudiante o el de sus padres (o tutores). Sin embargo, si el estudiante se siente cómodo en compartir información sobre su estatus legal, el personal del colegio,  consejeros y resto del personal podrán proveerle de una mejor información y brindarle diferentes opciones relativa a su situación. Obviamente, una relación abierta con el colegio y su personal es clave para una efectiva asistencia a sus estudiantes a fin de encontrar recursos apropiados relacionados con su planificación ulterior.

SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act of 2008

According to the SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act of 2008,  undocumented students are prohibited from enrolling in public postsecondary educational institutions (SC is one of only two states, the other one being Alabama that have such a prohibition).  Even though this is the current law in South Carolina, no federal law exists that forbids postsecondary educational institutions from accepting undocumented students. This means that private postsecondary educational institutions can make their own decision regarding this issue.  

However, with the advent of DACA, DACAmented students are now legally eligible to enroll in public postsecondary educational institutions. For additional information please refer to the section “DACAmented Students - Potential Postsecondary Pathways (College, Military, Career)."

SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act of 2008

De acuerdo con SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act of 2008, los estudiantes indocumentados tienen prohibido matricularse en Instituciones públicas educativas posteriores a la Secundaria (Carolina del Sur es uno de solo dos estados que tiene esta prohibición, el otro es Alabama).  Aun cuando ésta es una Ley vigente en Carolina del Sur, no existe Ley Federal alguna que prohiba los estudios post secundarios en Instituciones Educativas por parte de estudiantes indocumentados. Esto significa que instituciones privadas posteriores a la secundaria pueden tomar su propia desición sobre este tema.  

Sin embargo, con el advenimiento de DACA, (DACAmented) sus estudiantes son ahora elegibles para matricularse en estudios posteriores a la secundaria e instituciones educativas en general. Para mayor información favor remitirse a la seccion “DACAmented Students - Potential Postsecondary Pathways (College, Military, Career)."

Federal Policy - DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

Many students are eligible to apply for DACA. This program provides temporary approval to stay in the United States without fear of deportation as well as the opportunity to attend college and lawfully pursue employment.  It is important to understand that DACA does not provide a path to citizenship or access to any South Carolina state or federal financial aid.

As defined by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), the following are minimum eligibility requirements for DACA applicants (See USCIS Website for additional information):   

1. Was under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012

2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday

3. Has continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time

4. Was physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making the request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS

5. Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012

6. Is currently in school, has graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, has obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or is an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States

7. Has never been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and does not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

School counselors may be required to provide documentation in support of a DACA application. This could include copies of report cards, transcripts as well as PowerSchool Transfer Info and Student Summary Report pages, etc.

Federal Policy - DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

DACA. Este programa provee estadia temporal para permanecer en Estados Unidos sin el temor de ser deportado, asi como brinda la oportunidad de atender a universidades y buscar empleo legalmente.  Es importante entender que DACA no provee un camino hacia la ciudadania o acceso a ayudas financiera alguna en Carolina del Sur.

Tal y como lo define USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), los siguientes requerimientos son el minimo para ser elegido en su momento por DACA (See USCIS Website for additional information):   

1. Ser menor de los 31 años al 15 de Junio, 2012

2. LLegar a Estados Unidos antes de alcanzar los 16 años de edad.

3. Haber estado residenciado en Estados Unidos desde el 15 de Junio de 2007, y para el presente momento.

4. Estar fisicamente presente en los Estados Unidos para el 15 de junio de 2012, y al momento de hacer la solicitud de consideración de acción diferida con el USCIS.

5. No tener estatus legal para el 15 de junio de 2012

6. Estar en la escuela, haberse graduado u obtenido un titulo de culminación de los estudios de secundaria, haber obtenido un certificado de desarrollo de educación general (GED) o ser un veterano dado de baja honorable de la Guardia Costera o de las Fuerzas Armadas de los Estados Unidos.

7. Nunca haber sido condenado por falta grave,  delito menor significativo, o tres o mas delitos menores, y no representa una amenaza para la seguridad nacional o la seguridad publica.

Los consejeros de las escuelas pueden requerir la documentación que soporte su estatus en relación con el DACA. Esto pudiera incluir copias de las tarjetas de records de las escuelas, transcripciones del PowerSchool, sumario de reportes del estudiante,  etc.