Some children in Alberta are being denied access to education. They are blocked from registering in school because of their parents’ precarious immigration status.

Why is this happening?

The Alberta Education Act includes immigration-specific restrictions for who is considered a resident student, and school boards have been denying registration for children on this basis. However, immigration status in Canada is complex, with multiple pathways to permanent residency. There are many reasons why individuals and families may fall into a more precarious immigration status, including bureaucratic delays and rule changes, health issues, and experiences of exploitation and abuse.

Isn’t education a human right?

Yes! The right to education is affirmed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 26). Further, Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes “the right of the child to education” and directs signatories (including Canada) to “make primary education compulsory and available free to all.”

What’s so bad about not attending school?

The threat of removal from schools compounds the stress families and children face as they are already struggling to navigate life in Canada. When children are out of school, it has adverse effects on their mental health in the present and future, which affects all of society. Of course, students’ academic progress also suffers, putting them at a significant disadvantage if and when they are able to attend school.

What's the alternative?

School boards are already empowered to accept enrollment from all children. They also have the authority to charge tuition fees for “non-residents,” though replacing bureaucratic barriers with financial ones would not solve the problem.

There are two bigger picture actions that could be taken to truly resolve this issue. At the provincial level, the Education Act could be amended, as in Ontario, to affirm that children shall not be refused admission or funding due to immigration status. As well, the Education ministry could direct Alberta Education to remove or otherwise address the discriminatory requirements in the funding manual that put schools in the position of verifying immigration documents. This recognition that school officials are not immigration experts would align with the current provincial government’s priority to cut “red tape.”

At the school board level, “sanctuary school” or safe zone policies could be adopted. There is significant precedent and a thriving sanctuary schools movement in the United States; in Canada at least three jurisdictions have adopted sanctuary school policies (New Westminster, Greater Victoria, Sooke). In British Columbia and Ontario there is precedent for working with school boards to allow admission to children who have a transitional immigration status. Such policies would ideally be accompanied by training to help school staff provide meaningful support for all students.

What's been done so far?

In addition to meeting with public officials whenever possible, campaign activists and allies have been publicly encouraging the Edmonton Public School Board to take action. Here are some highlights:

Speakers at Edmonton Public School Board meetings:
- November 26, 2024
- December 10, 2024
- February 11, 2025 — This meeting also featured folks speaking out about kids with disabilities being denied access to inclusive education as well as folks speaking in solidarity with striking CUPE members; we stand firmly in solidarity with all these speakers. Education is a human right and education workers should be respected!
CBC article: Advocates sound alarm over children without status being denied education in Alberta

Send a letter to your school or school board

Join AWARE and Migrante Alberta in reaching out to schools and school boards seeking interest, support, and allies in addressing this problem. Use the template email below and please include albertaworkers@gmail.com.

Dear Administrators, Educators, and School Support Staff: The Alberta Workers Association for Research and Education (AWARE) and Migrante-Alberta are reaching out to you to bring to your attention that there are children and youth that are unable to register and attend school and/or feel safe in school because of their immigration status. Families who arrive in Canada on temporary visas (tourists, refugee claimants, temporary foreign workers, international students) can fall through the cracks and lose their immigration status (become undocumented). There are many reasons for this including changes to Canadian policies after they have arrived, exploitation by agents abroad who falsely promise permanent residency, abuse by employers, and the decline in one’s physical and mental health. Children are adversely affected where they cannot access basic needs including a structured education. In British Columbia (B.C) and Ontario students have access to education regardless of their immigration status. Their school boards have passed Sanctuary School policies which believe every child has a right to an education. Their policies allow students without immigration status to enroll as long as they can prove they are living in the neighbourhood. The policies also prevent schools from sharing attendance and registration records with Canada Border Services in order to make sure schools are safe spaces and not spaces of deportation. Edmonton is far behind these policies and our temporary visa and undocumented populations are rising. Our mission extends beyond assisting undocumented students. When we advocate for "education for all" (Ed4All) we are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to education. Numerous young children from lower-income backgrounds are compelled to work instead of completing their studies or while trying to study to support their families. Additionally, the exorbitant tuition fees burdened upon international students further highlight issues that demand our attention and resolution. The dreams and aspirations of young minds should not be held hostage by circumstances beyond their control. Denying education to children due to their parents; immigration status perpetuates a cycle of inequality and is a violation of their human rights. We are looking for your help to advocate for policies and practices that ensure education is accessible to every student, regardless of their family's immigration or income status. By doing so, we invest in a brighter future, where barriers are dismantled, dreams are realizes, and the potential for positive change knows no limits. The goal for AWARE and Migrante is to unite with Educators to remove all structural barriers by identifying the problems schools face that hinder them from helping students and convincing the government, school administrations, and teachers to advocate for the right to education. We hope you can join us by: 1. Signing up to our email list for Ed4All campaign information and events 2. Sharing this information with your friends and colleagues 3. Setting up a meeting at your school to raise awareness about Ed4All 4. Writing to your Public or Catholic School trustee about Sanctuary School policies 5. Talking with your school about how they can support undocumented children, youth and parents. In the words of Nelson Mandela "Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world". In addition to changing lives, breaking down barriers, and creating opportunities, education serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment in an increasingly interconnected world. In Solidarity, AWARE albertaworkers@gmail.com Migrante Alberta migrantealberta@gmail.com

Education4All Conference

In May 2024, educators, service providers, academics, and activists joined migrant workers and their families to learn and share.