Comprehensive immigration reform may be stalled in Congress, but the Obama administration strengthened regulations protecting immigrant children.

The administration on May 8 reiterated that public schools must accept all children regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. The U.S. Education and Justice departments also issued documents outlining what documents schools can and cannot ask for when families try to enroll their children.

According to the guidelines, schools may ask for proof — such as an electrical bill or copy of a lease — that a student resides in the local school district, but cannot ask for a Social Security number or a birth certificate.

The Department of Homeland Security estimates that there are 1.1 million undocumented children living in the United States.

Politico, May 7, 8