Montgomery, AL – The U.S. Justice Department has told Alabama's attorney general that it sought enrollment information from schools because it has received complaints about possible discrimination and it has the authority to investigate and enforce civil rights laws.
Attorney General Luther Strange wrote to the Justice Department on Wednesday, questioning its legal authority to seek lists of student enrollments and withdrawals from 39 school systems with significant Hispanic populations. He sought an answer by noon Friday.
Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez wrote back Friday, saying the department wants to get a fuller picture of what is happening in Alabama's schools. Perez also said that Strange does not represent the school districts contacted by the Justice Department.
Strange is defending Alabama's immigration law against the challenge filed by the Justice Department.
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