Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Definition: Plyler v. Doe was a Supreme Court case in 1982 that declared a Texas law unconstitutional. The law denied state funds to local school districts for the education of children who were unlawfully admitted to the United States and allowed local school districts to deny enrollment to such children. The Supreme Court ruled that this law violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees equal treatment under the law for all people within the United States, regardless of their immigration status. The Court found that denying education to undocumented children did not serve a substantial state interest and was therefore unconstitutional.
Example: The Plyler v. Doe case was brought on behalf of all undocumented school-age children of Mexican origin residing within the Tyler Independent School District in Texas. The Texas law denied these children access to public education, which is a fundamental right for all children in the United States. The Supreme Court ruled that this law violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and that denying education to these children did not serve a substantial state interest.
Explanation: The Plyler v. Doe case illustrates the importance of equal treatment under the law for all people within the United States, regardless of their immigration status. The case also highlights the fundamental role that education plays in maintaining the fabric of American society and the importance of providing access to education for all children. The Supreme Court's ruling in this case ensured that undocumented children would have access to public education, which is essential for their success in life and for the preservation of a democratic system of government.