New Study Reveals All States Fall Short in Supporting Immigrant Students
A National Crisis in Supporting Newcomer Students
An analysis by a progressive think tank has revealed that no state in the United States adequately supports newcomer students, including immigrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations. The findings highlight a critical gap in how states define, track, and fund programs for these students, leaving many without the necessary resources to succeed in school.
The report, released by The Century Foundation and its offshoot Next 100, evaluated all 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on their policies and practices related to immigrant students. The results were alarming: none of the states received a grade higher than a C+, with 42 states scoring between a C- and D-, and five states—Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Montana, and West Virginia—earning an F.
This lack of support comes at a time when federal policies have increasingly targeted immigrant communities. Under the Trump administration, there have been reports of young people being arrested, detained, and even deported. Additionally, recent changes to federal rules have removed mandates for schools to accommodate English learners, further complicating the educational landscape for these students.
The Need for Better Data and Funding
The report emphasizes the importance of clear definitions for "newcomer" students, which include refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, and migratory children. It also calls for better data collection and reporting on key indicators such as years in the U.S., English proficiency, home language, prior schooling, and academic outcomes.
State education agencies should use this data to inform funding formulas and create specific funding structures that supplement federal resources. This additional aid should focus on supporting students during their first few critical years in the public school system, with transparent reporting on how the funds are used and their impact.
However, the current data collection efforts across the country are inconsistent. Only four states have clear definitions for the term "newcomer" and consistently collect robust data about these children. In contrast, 17 states collect no discernable data on immigrant students at all, while 22 compile information solely for compliance with federal Title III funds aimed at English learners.
State-Level Examples of Effective Practices
Despite the overall poor performance, some states have implemented effective strategies. Oregon requires all districts to submit what it calls "Recent Arrivers" data, which is used for federal reporting and to allocate Title III funds. Kentucky collects disaggregated immigrant student data annually and divides it by subgroup, while Washington state tracks all eligible English learners in student information systems and reports key data points like birth country and U.S. school enrollment date.
North Dakota stands out as a model for transparency and accountability. The state publicly reports disaggregated English learner data by year, including counts and percentages of immigrant, refugee, and migrant students. This data is broken down by district, home language, and ethnicity, allowing for targeted interventions and a clearer understanding of the diverse needs within the student population.
Challenges and the Path Forward
The report highlights the challenges faced by young immigrants who often move between districts in search of stable housing. When programs differ across district lines, these highly mobile students may not qualify for comparable services, and their new schools may not receive the necessary resources to support them effectively.
The quality of education for newcomer students will not only affect their opportunities but also the health and well-being of their communities. As Alejandra Vázquez Baur, a co-author of the report, stated, "Newcomer students are in our classrooms regardless of what our president says. They are valuable neighbors and students. They become valuable leaders in their communities."
With anti-immigrant sentiment growing, it is crucial for states to take the lead in protecting the rights and needs of these students. By developing consistent definitions, collecting comprehensive data, and allocating appropriate funding, states can ensure that all students, regardless of background, have the opportunity to succeed.