New York Asks Schools to Avoid Pupil Immigration Status
By KIRK SEMPLE
Published: August 31, 2010

The State Education Department has sent school districts a memorandum strongly recommending that they not ask for information that might reveal the immigration status of enrolling students, after a civil liberties group complained that scores of districts were requesting such information in possible violation of federal law.

The memo, which was sent on Monday, explained that a 1982 Supreme Court decision had recognized the right of all children, regardless of immigration status, to attend public school as long as they met the age and residency requirements established by state law.

“Accordingly, at the time of registration,â€