In 1982, the case Plyler v. Doe nullified a Texas statute designed to deny public education to undocumented children. In Plyler, the Supreme Court rejected the argument that the statute furthered a compelling government interest by ostensibly deterring illegal entry and reserving education funding for legal residents. In his opinion, Justice Brennan noted the importance of education and the adverse implications of withholding it, while stating that “legislation directing the onus of a parent's misconduct against his children does not comport with fundamental conceptions of justice.”[1]

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