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Arizona's new immigration law has caused quite a stir. It allows police to question anyone if they "reasonably suspect" that person is in the country illegally. (Does that mean that people who have dark hair or speak with an accent will have to produce papers on demand?)

This law could have a big impact on schools. The Arizona School Boards Association worries that it could have a "chilling effect that will make some parents hesitant to send their children to school, even if those children are eligible to attend Arizona public schools." Schools often find themselves on the front lines of new immigration policies. Their mission to serve every child can become all the more difficult in a climate of fear and suspicion.

The misguided belief that schools can somehow serve as field offices for Immigration and Customs Enforcement doesn't help. The very thought is repugnant to most people who work in schools. On this score, at least, schools can rest easy. Schools cannot turn away undocumented students, and they cannot be forced to verify students' legal status. (For more information on these concerns, see the NEA (PDF)).

It's very likely that the new Arizona law will not survive a constitutional challenge. But immigration remains a very complex issue, especially in a state like Arizona. Whatever happens, no law should keep a school from serving every child who comes through its doors.