Pennsylvania passes bill allowing non-US citizens to teach in classrooms

The law says that teachers who hold a valid immigrant visa, work visa or other work permit paperwork are eligible to be certified to teach in Pennsylvania schools under the proposed law.

The law says that teachers who hold a valid immigrant visa, work visa or other work permit paperwork are eligible to be certified to teach in Pennsylvania schools under the proposed law. (representative image: Stockking on Freepik)

New Delhi: The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a resolution allowing non-U.S. citizens to teach in Pennsylvania. Under the resolution passed Monday by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, non-citizens will be allowed to teach in classrooms there, the Associate Press reports.

Teachers must have a valid immigrant visa or work visa to be eligible

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the resolution by a vote of 110 to 93. In addition, the Senate is currently debating its own version of the proposal before going forward. The law says that teachers who hold valid immigrant visas, work visas or other work permit papers are eligible for certification to teach in Pennsylvania schools under the proposed law, the report said.

What the sponsors of the bill say

“As a collective, let’s tackle this growing problem and let’s continue to break down some of these barriers that don’t apply to most careers in the Commonwealth, let alone the United States,” Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, a Berks County Democrat and also the bill’s lead sponsor, was quoted in the report.

What is the current situation?

For now, the state prohibits non-citizens from working as teachers unless they apply to teach a foreign language, have a green card, and have proven they intend to become citizens. In addition, the state does not recognize young immigrants as qualified for teacher certification. These individuals are protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and can legally work despite their undocumented status, according to the report.

About Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a member state of the United States of America and one of the original 13 American colonies. The state is somewhat rectangular in shape, spanning 150 miles (240 km) from north to south and 300 miles (480 km) from east to west.