Page 16 - Briefcase V36 Number 1

JUNE

Peter Roos, left, Thomas Saenz, Vilma Martinez and Professor Michael A. Olivas

UH LAW CENTER, MALDEF COMMEMORATE PLYLER to be at the Law Center to commemorate this decision which emanated
V. DOE’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY from this very state based upon a law that sought to deprive undocumented
children from the right to a free, public education.”
The University of Houston Law Center celebrated the 35th anniversary
of the Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe with a panel discussion Saenz then moderated the panel discussion held in the Hendricks
hosted by the Institute for Higher Education Law & Governance and Heritage Room that included Vilma Martinez, the former president and
the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund in the general counsel of MALDEF, Peter Roos, the former MALDEF national
Hendricks Heritage Room. director of education litigation, and Professor Michael A. Olivas, the
William B. Bates Distinguished Chair of Law and director of the Institute
The U.S. Supreme Court decided in Plyer v. Doe that no public school for Higher Education Law & Governance at the Law Center.
district has a basis to deny children access to education based on their
immigration status, citing that children have little control over their Olivas said he considers Plyler v. Doe the preeminent decision in
immigration status, the harm it would inflict on the child and society immigration law, but that it needs support as these issues evolve.
itself, and equal protection rights under the 14th Amendment. “This case is the high-water mark for immigrant rights,” Olivas said.
“This was a landmark Supreme Court decision in the history of education “It was courageous and strategic. Winning is one thing, but it’s not
law, Latino civil rights, and certainly in the history of MALDEF,” said static. It has to be fought for, it has to be defended, re-conceptualized
Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF. “We’re pleased and re-applied.”

16 Briefcase 2018