ILLINOIS — Immigrant rights groups and educators are awaiting final approval of the Safe Schools for All Act, a newly passed bill in Illinois that would protect undocumented K–12 students from being denied access to public education or reported to immigration authorities.
Formally known as House Bill 3247, the legislation cleared both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly in the final days of the spring session. As of June 18, it had not yet been sent to Governor J.B. Pritzker for his signature.
“We are going to protect our children,” said State Sen. Karina Villa, the bill’s chief Senate sponsor, during a May 7 rally in Springfield. “We’re going to make them feel safe in our schools by passing HB 3247.”
What the Bill Would Do
The Safe Schools for All Act would ban public schools from:
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Denying enrollment based on actual or perceived immigration status
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Disclosing or threatening to disclose a student’s or their family’s immigration information
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Allowing law enforcement to enter school grounds without an authorized procedure
The bill was introduced in response to renewed deportation efforts and policy reversals by the Trump administration, which recently scrapped a Biden-era rule that barred immigration enforcement near schools, churches, and hospitals.
According to WTTW Chicago, the bill is part of a broader effort to ensure immigrant students feel safe enough to attend school — especially in heavily Latino districts that have seen attendance drops amid heightened federal enforcement.
Legal Background and Federal Concerns
While federal protections for undocumented students stem from a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling (Plyler v. Doe), some states have started introducing legislation aimed at challenging that precedent.
Earlier this year, a bill in Tennessee proposed blocking free public education for immigrant children. Though it ultimately failed, Illinois advocates say it underscored the need to embed protections at the state level before federal interpretations shift.
“We want to make sure that schools are prepared in case law enforcement or federal agents show up,” said Fred Tsao of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. “We’ve seen a chilling effect on participation.”
Tsao warned that without clear state laws, rights for immigrant children could disappear with a single Supreme Court decision.
Advocates Push for Urgent Action
Backers of the bill say they expect Governor Pritzker to sign the measure, reaffirming Illinois’ identity as a sanctuary state committed to educational access for all students.
If enacted, the law would direct school districts to implement new review policies for law enforcement requests and provide safeguards for student records.
“It’s not just about resisting Trump,” said Villa. “It’s about making sure every child in Illinois can go to school without fear.”
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