Ariana Zapata, a 13-year-old from Edmonton, Canada, has a profound interest in social studies, which shapes her understanding of historical societies and the importance of education. As she develops her worldview, grounded in family values and a belief in education as a fundamental right, she takes it upon herself to share knowledge with her three younger siblings, who have been denied access to school for two years due to their undocumented status. In contrast, Zapata continues attending school without her school knowing about her own undocumented situation. This highlights a significant issue in Alberta, which, unlike Ontario, does not have laws mandating schools to enroll undocumented children.
This lack of enrollment not only affects Zapata’s family but also puts Alberta at odds with its commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified in 1990. The convention emphasizes that education is not merely a privilege but a right, and the failure to provide it can lead to severe repercussions for individuals and communities. Social worker Samantha Vaux stresses that keeping children out of school is detrimental not just to them but also to society as a whole. The exact number of undocumented individuals in Canada remains unclear, with estimates suggesting up to 500,000 could exist.
Zapata’s family immigrated from Mexico, applying for refugee status but eventually facing denial, which forced them to live in Canada undocumented. Although they were enrolled in school for two years during the application process, once it was denied, so was their right to education. The family chose to remain in Canada for safety, but this has led to ongoing struggles. Zapata and her siblings feel the anxiety of their situation each day, complicating the experience of attending school for her.
Dayana Rodriguez, another individual in a similar situation, shares her experiences and the challenges of being undocumented. Having moved to Edmonton from Mexico with her family, Rodriguez was forced out of school after they lost their residency status. This confinement created a distressing environment likened to being in “jail,” hindering her family’s ability to participate in society beyond the confines of their home. Rodriguez eventually re-enrolled in school but has recently left to support her family financially, underscoring the emotional and practical challenges faced by undocumented youth.
The difficulties faced by these families extend into broader societal issues. Undocumented individuals often lack access to basic services such as public healthcare and legal job protections. Advocacy efforts, led by groups like Vaux’s organization, are crucial in pushing for legislative changes that would allow undocumented children to receive an education. Recently, Edmonton Public School trustees voted to encourage the provincial government to revise its laws to facilitate school enrollment for undocumented children, although the provincial education minister has remained non-committal in response.
Despite the pressing need for action, the Alberta government’s hesitance to address this issue has left many families in a state of uncertainty. Vaux criticized the lack of clarity regarding education rights for undocumented children, branding it as an unacceptable bureaucratic barrier. She advocates for prioritizing children’s educational rights over administrative red tape, emphasizing that these minors should not be punished for circumstances beyond their control. Children, she argues, should not bear the weight of complex adult issues and must be afforded the right to education and stability in their lives.
