Refugee Youth Resource

Educational Rights and Protections for Refugee and Newcomer Students

FOR PROVIDERS

Educational Rights and Protections for Refugee and Newcomer Students

All children in the United States, regardless of immigration status, English language ability, country of origin, or prior formal education, have the right to free public education and a meaningful education. Refugees and newcomer children are protected under several federal laws and international agreements that support equal access to education and prohibit discrimination.  

The resources in this section are designed to help providers, educators, caregivers, and community members better understand the educational rights of refugee and newcomer children and youth, including the rights of English Learners (ELs) and parents or caregivers with limited English proficiency (LEP). These tools can also support advocacy efforts to ensure newcomer children have access to educational services, language support, and protections available under federal law .

RESOURCES: Educational Rights and Protections for Refugee and Newcomer Students

for Providers

Laws and Policies Supporting Equal Access to Education

Equal Rights to Public Education Regardless of Immigration/Citizenship Status

Resource Type: Website

Source: U.S. Department of Education 

1951 Refugee Convention & 1967 Protocol

Resource Type: Website

Source: UNHCR

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Resource Type: Website

Source: U.S. Department of Education 

Educational Rights and Protections for Newcomer Students

Educational Services for Immigrant Children and Those Recently Arrived to the United States

Resource Type: PDF 

Source: U.S. Department of Education 

Legal Protections for K-12 English Learner and Immigrant-Background Students

Resource Type: PDF  

Source: Migration Policy Institute (MPI) 

Know Your Rights: Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You from Discrimination at School

Resource Type: Website 

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Rights of English Learners (ELs) and Limited English Proficient (LEP) Parents and Caregivers

Ensuring English Learner Students Can Participate Meaningfully and Equally in Educational Programs

Resource Type: PDF

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Equal Education Opportunities for English Learners

Resource Type: Website

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Dear Colleague Letter: English Learner Students and Limited English Proficient Parents

Resource Type: PDF

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Information for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Parents and Guardians and for Schools and School Districts that Communicate with Them

Resource Type: PDF

Source: U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education 

Rights of English Learners (ELs) and Limited English Proficient (LEP) Parents and Caregivers

Combating National Origin Discrimination

Resource Type: PDF

Source: U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education 

How to File a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights

Resource Type: PDF

Source: U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education 

Submit a Discrimination Complaint

Resource Type: PDF

Source: U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education