CHC ON SCHOOL GUIDANCE ANNOUNCEMENT BY DEPARTMENTS OF JUSTICE & EDUCATION

Washington, DC- Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15), CHC Immigration Task Force Chair Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (IL-04), and CHC Civil Rights Task Force Chair Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-38) released the following statements following the school guidance announcement from the Departments of Justice and Education. The two departments announced updated guidance on school enrollment as it relates to undocumented students. First issued in 2011, today's updated guidance assists public elementary and secondary schools in ensuring that all students have access to an education regardless of their or their parents' immigration status.

"No child should be prevented from obtaining an education because of their or their parents' legal status. Education is a basic human right and the idea that individuals can achieve the American Dream through education and hard work is at the cornerstone of who we are as a country. I commend the Departments of Justice and Education for issuing today's updated guidance and helping to ensure that students are able to enroll in schools regardless of legal status," said CHC Chairman Rubén Hinojosa.

"Attorney General Eric Holder and Education Secretary Arne Duncan are right on the mark. Inclusion and integration are the keys to making immigration work for the American people. This is one small but important step - in the absence of legislation to make our immigration policies more rational - to make our education policies more rational," said CHC Immigration Task Force Chair Congressman Luis Gutiérrez.

“I commend The White House for taking the necessary steps to ensure that all children receive a public school education, regardless of who they are, what they look like or where they are from. Our community benefits when all children are educated,” said CHC Civil Rights Task Force Chair Congresswoman Linda Sánchez.