Estudiantes inmigrantes

An informed, empowered community of parents, guardians and other persons in parental relation is critical to ensuring that Multilingual Learners (MLs) and English Language Learners (ELLs) are well supported and thrive. The New York State Education Department's Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL) has created A Guide to Community-Based Organizations for Immigrants which provides a list of organizations throughout New York State. Each organization offers a variety of services. Some of these services include, advocacy & community engagement, health care & insurance, housing, labor & employment, legal services & lawful status, public assistance, safety, and youth & education, that may be useful to parents and communities.

In July 2015, the Commissioner’s Regulations governing enrollment of students in public school were amended to ensure that all students, and in particular unaccompanied youth, have timely access to school. The Regulations require that school districts accept a broader range of documents to establish residency and establish timelines for making residency determinations. The New York State Education Department produced brochures in multiple languages that districts can provide to parents so that they better understand the enrollment process. The brochure is currently available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian-Creole, Karen, Nepali, Russian, and Urdu.

This project, based at the City University of New York (CUNY), provides free, high quality, and confidential citizenship and immigration law services to help individuals and families on their path to U.S. citizenship.

This organization provides legal services, advocacy, and other support to immigrant communities in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

United States Department of Education

This July 29, 2015, Dear Colleague letter from the U.S. Department of Education provides guidance for financial aid administrators on the definition of homelessness, how to make determinations, and how to document students’ status. It revises the prior policy so that all applicants under age 24, including those who are 22 or 23 years old, are unaccompanied and experiencing homelessness, or are self-supporting and at risk of being homeless, qualify for a homeless youth determination and will be considered independent students.

Undocumented students in temporary housing are protected by the McKinney-Vento Act. On June 15, 2012, the Obama Administration issued a memo announcing that the U.S. would not deport certain undocumented persons who entered the United States as children. This memo is known as “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).” Deferred action means that, even though the individual is undocumented and subject to deportation, the government agrees to not take actions to remove the person from the United States. It is important to note that a grant of deferred action does not grant that person citizenship, and it does not change an individual’s existing immigration status, nor provide a path to citizenship. For more information about DACA, including FAQs and guidelines, please visit the Immigrant Legal Resource Center’s website. Please note: as of June 16, 2017 the DACA program is still available and accepting applications.

NYSED

This memo is to inform Local Education Agencies (LEAs) of the educational rights of students who are evacuees who may be living in temporary housing. With many Afghan evacuees being resettled in the United States in recent months, there may be some confusion about the services these students are eligible to receive under Title VI, subtitle B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act).

New York State Education Department

The New York State Education Department issued this September 10, 2014 letter to all school districts regarding educational services for recently arrived unaccompanied immigrant children, many of whom may be eligible for services under the McKinney-Vento Act.

This fact sheet from the United States Department of Education provides information to help Local Educational Agencies (LEAs include school districts, BOCES, and charter schools) to understand their responsibilities, and it also includes resources available to educate all immigrant students.

NYSED

New York State Education Department

This May 2016 memo explains that all individuals, regardless of citizenship, who reside in New York State (NYS) and are between the ages of 5 and 21, have the right to a free public high school education in their school district of residence.

This guide from the American Civil Liberties Union outlines available resources, contact information, and referral processes for those seeking assistance for immigrant children and youth. The guide is organized state-by-state.

This issue brief from the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) explain the challenges many immigrant and refugee families encounter in adjusting to life in the United States, including integrating into the U.S. public school system. The memos describe methods for determining homelessness among immigrant and refugee families and strategies for supporting the integration of immigrant and refugee children into the U.S. schools are discussed.

This issue brief from the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) explain the challenges many immigrant and refugee families encounter in adjusting to life in the United States, including integrating into the U.S. public school system. The memos describe methods for determining homelessness among immigrant and refugee families and strategies for supporting the integration of immigrant and refugee children into the U.S. schools are discussed.

This guide was created for educators, school support staff and service providers who teach, mentor and help open the doors of opportunity for undocumented youth and unaccompanied and refugee children currently living in the United States. Educators, school support staff and service providers are often the first people a student and/or family talk with about their status as undocumented, and the needs that they may have.

Attending school and gaining securing lawful status in the United States are two keys to safety and security for undocumented unaccompanied homeless youth. This brief co-authored by the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), is designed for young people, immigration attorneys and advocates, McKinney-Vento liaisons, and other educators. It provides information about federal laws that can help undocumented youth who are homeless to attend school and address their immigration status.

This document, issued jointly by the National School Board Association (NSBA) and the National Education Association (NEA), answers frequently asked questions from school administrators about the rights and responsibilities schools have with respect to undocumented students.

After federal immigration-related actions that have created fear and confusion in New York and across the country, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia reminded school districts of their duty to comply with existing state and federal laws that ensure the rights of immigrant children to attend New York’s public schools without fear of reprisal.

This NYSED memo, released in October 2023 provides important information regarding the obligation of schools and districts to enroll students, including refugees or asylum seekers, pending receipt of their health records and to assist them in obtaining all necessary immunizations within the applicable time frame.

NYSED Field Memo

This 2021 Memo from the New York State Education Department outlines important information and resources for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) regarding the rights of and services available to recently arrived unaccompanied children and youth. The memo includes information and guidance about immediate enrollment, free school meals, immunizations, and the English-Language Learner (ELL) identification process for unaccompanied children and youth.

NYS Education Law
Section 3209 describes the rights of students in temporary housing in New York State.

Important changes to New York Education Law Section 3209 went into effect on April 20, 2017. The changes to this law reflect changes to the federal McKinney-Vento Act that were made under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

NYS Education Law Section 3209 describes the rights of students in temporary housing in New York State.

Important changes to New York Education Law Section 3209 went into effect on April 20, 2017. The changes to this law reflect changes to the federal McKinney-Vento Act that were made under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This is the marked-up version of Education Law § 3209 that highlights the changes.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created the fastest and largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. Over 5.2 million Ukrainians, mostly women, children, and the elderly, have been forced to flee their homes to neighboring European countries. In March, President Biden announced that the United States would accept up to 100,000 refugees1 fleeing Ukraine. New York schools will play a significant role in supporting the education, mental health, and well-being of the refugees seeking a haven from war. Schools need to be prepared to address the effects of the violence in Ukraine on our students, schools, and local communities. These could range from fostering refugees in our communities and schools to supporting students and families dealing with vicarious or secondary trauma.

The Goal of the RBE-RNs is to help school districts and school buildings create an educational environment which will engage English Language Learners, as well as all students, in meaningful teaching and learning. It is crucial to create an environment with respect for diversity, opportunities for all children to achieve at the highest levels and supports for ELLS to become skilled in the English language while capitalizing on their strengths in terms of their native language and heritage.

The New York City Department of Education translates many surveys, notifications, and other documents for parents of English Language Learners. Translations are available on this page, in addition to other resources.

A Guide for Undocumented Students Going Through the College Matriculation Process

From CARA: Undocumented young people have a right to college. This toolkit is for them. The purpose of this resource is to help undocumented students realize their college dreams by presenting new ways to look at the college application process. We also hope educators, counselors, undocufriendly organizations, parent(s)/guardian(s), and young people will use this toolkit to help undocumented students pursue higher education, regardless of their immigration status.