Law

Every student has the right to a free public education, regardless of immigration status. Federal and Massachusetts state laws protect immigrant students and families in key areas — including the right to enroll in school, access to language support, protections for students with disabilities, and privacy rights that limit what schools can share with immigration enforcement. Use this page to understand the laws that protect you, your family, and your students.

Student Rights in Education

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State and Federal laws protect the right to education for all students in Massachusetts. Massachusetts has particularly strong education rights for immigrant students and students with disabilities. Use this comprehensive guide to learn about students’ and parents’ foundational legal rights in education, including parent’s language access rights, immigrant students rights in special education, and student protections in discipline.

Immigrant Student Protections in School

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Immigration enforcement policies have disrupted school communities in Massachusetts and nationwide. But the law hasn’t changed. Students, parents, and educators have legal protections in interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE. Use this page to learn about laws protecting students, families and educators at school.

Legal Services

Massachusetts has a wide network of legal support for immigrant communities, ranging from immigration legal support to education defense. Accessing qualified and trusted legal services is vital in emergency situations. Use this page to navigate local, trusted legal organizations and immigration representation initiatives that can help immigrant families.