Cal. Atty. Gen. Bonta Issues Guidance on Educational Rights of Immigrant Students and Their Families

Rob Bonta, Jan. 6, 2025

"California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued two sets of guidance to ensure the educational rights of immigrant students and their families. The first guidance advises immigrant students and their families of their educational rights and protections under the law, including the right to receive a free public education and the right to confidentiality of their personal information. The second provides guidance to assist school officials in complying with state law limiting state and local participation in immigration enforcement activities. This includes guidance relating to information requests regarding immigration status, a warrant or court order regarding immigration enforcement, and immigration agents requesting access to school grounds. The guidances builds on the Attorney General’s ongoing efforts to inform California immigrants of their rights under the law and to help public institutions to revise their policies and procedures in order to comply with state law. As part of this work, Attorney General Bonta today also held the third in a series of five regional convenings with immigrant rights groups, elected officials, and others in Sacramento. 

“Every child has the right to a free public education, regardless of their immigration status,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I know there is a lot of fear and anxiety around the incoming administration’s anticipated changes to immigration policy, and I want to make sure students, their parents, and their teachers and school administrators are prepared. These new guidances highlight the educational rights of California students and the responsibility their schools have under state law to protect the rights and safety of all students in the state. My office is continuing to hear from immigrants’ rights groups on the ground through our regional convenings across the state, and we will continue to serve and support California’s immigrant communities through the challenges ahead.”

Guidance for Immigrant Students and Families

• Right to a Free Public Education: All children have a right to equal access to free public education, regardless of their or their parents’/guardians’ immigration status.
• Information Required for School Enrollment: Schools must accept a variety of documents from the student’s parent or guardian to demonstrate proof of child’s age or residency and schools are not required to keep a copy of the document used as proof of a child’s age.
• Confidentiality of Personal Information: Federal and state laws protect student education records and personal information. These laws generally require that schools obtain written consent from parents or guardians before releasing student information, unless the release of information is for educational purposes, is already public, or is in response to a court order or subpoena.

The complete Guide for Students and Families is available in English and Spanish at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources. Additional languages will be available in the coming days. 

The complete Quick Reference for School Officials guide is available in English and Spanish at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources. Additional languages will be available in the coming days."