In recent months, thousands of immigrant families have been relocated by the governors of Arizona, Florida, and Texas to states and communities across the country. These families typically arrive without safe, stable housing, and experience homelessness and high mobility that can last for months. SchoolHouse Connection condemns this politically calculated displacement and the upheaval and harm it causes. At the same time, we know that school can be a place of stability and services to help mitigate the disruption and trauma caused by homelessness. We’ve received numerous questions about the educational rights and protections of children and youth in immigrant families, and offer our answers to some of these questions. 

Q: Does immigration status affect McKinney-Vento eligibility?
Q: What if vital documents (like birth certificates, immunization records, etc.) were collected by Customs and Border Patrol and not returned to the family?

We're excited to share this new page dedicated to providing educators, policymakers, and advocates with valuable resources on how to best support these families and youth, and help ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in school and beyond.

Resources include: 

1. Recently Asked Questions and Answers on Displaced Immigrant Families and Education
2. Strategies for Supporting Immigrant and Migrant Students Experiencing Homelessness
3. Immigrant Students Experiencing Homelessness: Liaisons’ Strategies
4. Immigrant Students: How Schools Can Help
5. Other National Resources

Monte del Sol Charter School has seen a drastic increase in the number of students experiencing homelessness, especially among immigrant families. To support these families, the school hired a Bilingual Benefits Navigator who helps them navigate rental assistance programs and other basic needs. With lived experience and strong relationships with families, the Navigator is a critical support person for pregnant and parenting teens, and helps identify students experiencing homelessness. The success of this position has been significant, and the school plans to sustain it through future grants.

Cate Moses, Homeless Education Liaison at Monte del Sol Charter School in New Mexico says: “Our school serves mostly immigrant families, including many established families who have relatives from Mexico move in and double up due to financial hardship. The continuity with families helps us to identify and support those who are experiencing homelessness. Families come into our school and I already have a history with them. With this Navigator position, we are able to serve our families in a caring and empathic way in their language.”