Although federal law mandates that all children should have access to public education regardless of their immigration status, many school districts in New York require parents to provide immigration papers or documents only legal immigrants are able to present. It is a straightforward way of discouraging many from sending their kids to school, and thus contributing to the growth of crime among youngster groups.

Not all the states are friendly towards undocumented immigrants and their families; however, it is surprising that even in New York, which is generally welcoming towards the undocumented, immigrants may have problems sending their children to school.

New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) has put this problem on its agenda. According to the organization's research, as many as 139 districts require that parents present their green cards, Social Security cards or other documents that undocumented immigrants don't posses. Although NYCLU did not come across any child who was denied education owing to lack of such documents, it is difficult to ascertain if immigrant – already scared by years-long anti-immigration raids – give up sending their daughters and sons to school when they hear about the school's requirements.

New Jersey, Maryland and Nebraska show leniency for children of undocumented immigrants: they try to accommodate them and enable them a path to obtaining education in this country.

In the atmosphere of antipathy for aliens, fueled by politicians' statements and media coverage, some school districts in New York chose to ignore the federal regulations.

In an atmosphere of antipathy towards aliens, fueled by politicians' statements and media coverage, some school districts in New York City have chosen to ignore the federal regulations.

As well, the DOE has taken no action to deal with the issue. As reported in the New York Times, a DOE spokesman advises those affected negatively by any action or decision that allegedly violates the law "to appeal with the Commissioner."

For months the NYCLU has been fighting to remove the controversial practices in school districts. It is strange that the state authorities have not shown any interest in the matter, especially when Governor David Paterson has demonstrated understanding towards immigrants in the past.

Children cannot be punished for the fact that their families are living in America without papers. It is not hard to imagine how closing the doors to education can influence the development and behavior of kids left idle without supervision or instruction.

The expected introduction of harsh anti-immigration regulations in Arizona provokes still more apprehension. Principals of some schools in Arizona assure that they are not obliged to report on students who are living in the United States without papers. No one knows, however, how the local police will react to the new regulations. If parents, fearing deportation, will start a mass withdrawal of children and teenagers from schools, the social consequences of it may turn out catastrophic, especially when 20 other states expressed the intention to follow in Arizona's footsteps.