Alabama's Hispanic Students Back To School Despite Immigration Crackdown: Educators say Alabama's tough new crackdown on illegal immigrants isn't keeping Hispanic parents from sending their children to school, despite opponents' fears over a novel provision requiring educators to determine the immigration status of students.
School systems checked by The Associated Press because of their large Hispanic enrollments say they have seen no decrease in the number of Hispanic students in the first days of the new academic year. Critics of the law have claimed in court that the school reporting requirement – which Alabama was the first state to enact – could prompt a mass exit of Spanish-speaking children.
An attorney opposing the law said Tuesday that school enrollment may be higher than expected because immigrant parents are trying to get their children into class before the law takes effect Sept. 1.
