The Puerto Rico Senate approved on Thursday Senate Bill 1062, which seeks to establish by law protections for immigrant students and those whose immigration status is not defined. The measure, authored by San Juan senator Nitza Morán, aims to give legal force to the guarantees and procedures the Department of Education already applies through an administrative protocol.
The bill includes provisions to guarantee enrollment without discrimination based on immigration status, protect the confidentiality of student information, and prevent harassment based on nationality, language or immigration condition. It also sets procedures for school personnel in the event of interventions by immigration authorities, in accordance with applicable law. Morán said the goal is to create specific obligations for the education system so the protections have greater stability against possible administrative changes, giving families and school staff clear rules.
The bill received a joint favorable report from the Government committee and the Education, Arts and Culture committee, which recommended its approval with amendments, and the report also records the endorsement of the departments of Education and of the Family. After its approval in the Senate, the bill moves on to the next stage of the legislative process.