Over 5 million students in U.S. public schools (about one in ten) are English Language Learners (ELLs), representing more than 400 different languages spoken at home. While bilingualism and multilingualism are powerful assets, many ELL students face barriers: they graduate at lower rates (around 69% compared to the national average of 86%), and only about a third of teachers report feeling well-prepared to support them.

The right to education for immigrant and English Language Learner students is established in landmark cases and laws. In Lau v. Nichols (1974), the Supreme Court ruled that schools must take meaningful steps to help students with limited English proficiency. Plyler v. Doe (1982) established that states cannot deny a free public education to children based on immigration status. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on national origin, which courts have interpreted to include language access. More recently, the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015) requires states to track and support ELL students’ progress.

Despite these protections, challenges remain. ESL programs are often underfunded, schools face shortages of trained ESL and bilingual teachers, and immigrant families frequently encounter language barriers that limit their ability to engage with schools. On top of that, many immigrant students juggle academic demands alongside cultural adjustment and mental health challenges.

Investing in ESL and immigrant youth education is about more than language. It’s about access, equity, and opportunity. When schools and communities support immigrant students, they open doors to higher education, careers, and leadership, benefiting not just the students but the future of our society.