Immigrant Daily

Arizona Sheriffs want Schools to Check Students’ Status

At a time when efforts are on in U.S. Congress for providing legal means and incentives to over a million undocumented students to finish high school and pursue post-secondary education, the Sheriffs in Arizona wants schools to start asking students whether their stay in U.S. is legal. The idea originated from Prima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik. According to him Arizona taxpayers are underwriting millions of dollars of costs of teaching English to children who have no legal right to be here.

Dupnik urged the State of Arizona to have a test case and revive the issue in High Court to see whether the justices agree to overrule a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision that prohibited schools from refusing to enroll anyone who could not prove their legal presence in the United States. Dupnik has the backing of Yuma County Sheriff Ralph Ogden and Joe Arpaio, his Maricopa County counterpart.

Governor Jan Brewer also concurs with Dupnik as she sees no reason that youngsters should not be asked to prove they are U.S. citizens or legal residents. However, the Attorney General Terry Goddard said he does not think schools have the expertise to determine someone’s legal status.

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