More than half of New Orleans public schools require registration forms that could discourage undocumented students from enrolling. That's according to a new report by the Southern Poverty Law Center and VAYLA New Orleans.
The groups found that 55 of the city's 83 public schools ask for information that's not required by law. Most ask for a student's Social Security number. Several ask for a parent's driver's license or state ID. Many immigrant parents don't have these. The schools don't explain that Social Security numbers are optional and parents can submit other forms of photo identification.
Jennifer Coco is a staff attorney with Southern Poverty Law Center.
"VAYLA was just getting constant phone calls from people saying 'well, they want these documents but I don't have these documents so I don't think my child can go to this school,'" she says.
The groups sent a letter Wednesday asking schools to change their registration forms by the end of the month.
"I do want to emphasize that the letter is not a complaint," Coco says. "It really was just a request to say 'hey, this is really having an impact on these families and we would really appreciate it if you could change your forms.'"
Coco says she's already received positive responses. "Many schools have replied and said 'oh my gosh, that wasn't our intent, we're changing our forms immediately.'"
Southern Poverty Law Center will work with schools to make sure their enrollment policies comply with federal law.
Support for education reporting on WWNO comes from Baptist Community Ministries and Entergy Corporation.