Reps. García, Bonamici, Omar and Correa Introduce the Right to Learn Act
WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Representative Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), alongside Representatives Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Lou Correa (CA-46), and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced the Right to Learn Act, legislation designed to provide resources and support for students, families, and school communities impacted by immigration enforcement actions.
The Right to Learn Act will establish a federal grant program to help schools maintain safe, stable, and trauma-informed learning environments when immigration enforcement actions disrupt school communities.
By establishing a federal grant program, this legislation will:
Support students’ well-being and learning stability
Equip educational and school staffs
Strengthen school-community partnerships
Protect students’ privacy and access to education
“When immigration enforcement actions disrupt a school community, students, educators, and families all feel the impact. No child should have to learn in fear, and no school should face these challenges without support. The Right to Learn Act will provide schools with the resources they need and send a clear message: every child belongs in the classroom, not living in fear,” said Congressman García.
“Minnesota kids continue to live with the fear and trauma that Operation Metro Surge unleashed,” said Congresswoman Omar. “Our schools should always be a safe space for our kids, regardless of their immigration status. I'm proud to join my colleagues in leading this legislation to ensure our public schools can access the resources they need to provide students with a safe, stable learning environment.”
“President Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, instead during his tenure we’ve seen immigration enforcement at elementary schools, places of learning and refuge for our children,” said Congressman Correa. “This critical legislation will make sure our students have a safe learning environment where they can thrive and become our leaders of tomorrow.”
“For decades, public schools have been a safe space for students to learn and grow regardless of their immigration status. With those protections and immigrants now under threat, we must take action to keep children safe so they can continue to learn. I'm grateful to lead this legislation with several of my colleagues to keep schools safe, welcoming, and responsive,” said Congresswoman Bonamici.
“The Right to Learn Act is about acknowledging the pain that the Trump administration’s cruel and illegal immigration operations have inflicted on America’s students—and doing something about it. This bill makes additional resources available to schools to meet the needs of kids and families who have been caught up in the federal dragnet. We have a moral obligation to commit resources to help repair the damage done by the administration’s crass and careless actions. The AFT strongly supports this legislation and will continue to mobilize and demand that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stop terrorizing our schools and neighborhoods,” said Randi Weingarten, President of The American Federation of Teachers.
“We know teachers in classrooms across our country are doing everything they can, teaching kids who are afraid that their parents are not going to be home when they come from school. There is no learning when a kid has to live like that,” said Keri Rodriguez, founding President of the National Parents Union. “We are seeing an increase in chronic absenteeism because schools don’t feel like a safe place. We need to do everything we can to support the people who are trying to get our children through this traumatic moment.”
Cosponsors of this legislation include Representatives: Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Angie Craig (MN-02), Summer Lee (PA-12), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).
Endorsing organizations include: Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, Instituto del Progreso Latino, Telpochcalli Community Education Project, Enlace Chicago, the Forum for Youth Investment, Southwest Organizing Project, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Southwest Organizing Project, Center for Law and Social Policy, Gads Hill Center, Latino Policy Forum, Leyden Community High School District 212, Casa Michoacan I Fedecmi, Institutional Solutions, Los Angeles Unified School District, The National Parents Union, National Education Association, Coalition on Human Needs, Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights, Latino Community Center, and Alternatives.
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