UH Law Center and MALDEF commemorate 35th anniversary of Plyler V. Doe which required free public education for undocumented children

News provided by

Jun 14, 2017, 16:42 ET

HOUSTON, June 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Houston Law Center will host a panel of legal experts on June 27 in observance of the 35^th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that prohibited states from denying a free public education to undocumented children.

The discussion of the 1982 decision in Plyler v. Doe and its aftermath is co-sponsored by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Law Center's Institute for Higher Education Law & Governance.

The court in a 5-4 decision found the Tyler Independent School District violated the "Equal Protection Clause" of the 14^th Amendment in 1977 when it denied free education to children who were not "legally admitted" to the country. The court also determined the potential future cost to the students and society in general far outweighed the cost of educating undocumented children.

In the years since, states and school districts have attempted various means of circumventing the decision, without success.

The panel includes:

Professor Michael A. Olivas, William B. Bates Distinguished Chair in Law and director of IHELG at the University of Houston Law Center
Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF President and General Counsel
Vilma Martinez, former MALDEF President and General Counsel
Peter Roos, former MALDEF National Director of Education Litigation

The program will be 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 27, in the Hendricks Heritage Room at the University of Houston Law Center, 4604 Calhoun Road, Houston, Texas, 77004. Metered parking is available in Lot 19B.

Two hours of Texas CLE credit has been approved for this program. There is no charge for attendance, but registration is requested at: https://uhlc.wufoo.com/forms/sbyteeo16yvq1f/.

Media contacts: Elena Hawthorne, UH Law Center interim Director of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-1125, [email protected]; John T. Kling, UH Law Center Communications Manager, 713-743-8298, [email protected]; and John Brannen, Senior Writer, 713-743-3055, [email protected]

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation's best colleges for undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city, UH serves more than 42,700 students in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region in the country.

About the University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top tier law school located in the nation's 4^th largest city. UHLC's Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Part-time programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 11 centers and institutes which fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

SOURCE University of Houston Law Center