School Law Meets Immigration: Navigating Legal Rights, Relief Options, and Compliance Challenges

Lisa T. Scruggs | Duane Morris LLP

Lisa T. Scruggs provides litigation and counseling services for education and school reform organizations, including individual charter and private schools, charter school networks, charter and education management organizations, school districts and other education nonprofit and for profit organizations and service providers. She has handled a wide range of litigation, transactions and policy matters relating to new school development, teacher evaluation, credentialing and certification reforms, public/private education ventures, virtual education, school finance and parent and student civil rights. She serves as a team lead for the Duane Morris Education industry group.

Ms. Scruggs is nationally recognized in school reform law. She has worked with the Chicago Public Schools, the third-largest school district in the U.S., in several capacities. Most notably, she served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (2004-2006) and as a member of the Blue-Ribbon Commission to Evaluate Magnet and Selective Schools Admission Policy (2010-2011). She has also served as an Expert Review Panelist for grant competitions sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement, including the Race to the Top – District competition. Ms. Scruggs has also been selected as a Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow, joining a cohort of leaders who are “reimagining America’s public schools.”

Ms. Scruggs is also an experienced litigator who has participated in a variety of cases involving a wide range of issues including complex commercial, real estate, business torts and unfair competition law, civil rights and constitutional law.

Ms. Scruggs is a 1998 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, where she was articles editor for the University of Chicago Roundtable. She holds an M.A. in Education Policy from the University of Chicago, and she is a cum laude graduate of Georgetown University.

Natasha Jasperson | Freedom in Education

Natasha Jasperson is a policy analyst and thought leader whose work centers on the intersection of immigration, education, and equity. With a background in legal research and public policy, she brings a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing immigrant-origin students in K–12 classrooms. Her writing has informed educators, advocates, and policymakers alike, offering clear, actionable insights into how federal immigration laws impact schools and students. Natasha’s current research explores the implementation of inclusive education policies and the legal obligations of educational institutions serving diverse student populations.

My educational background further underscores my commitment to excellence. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design and marketing from IADT in Tampa, Florida, where I was honored for my outstanding portfolio and collection. I have also received a master’s in journalism from Regent University, continuously expanding my knowledge base to excel further in my field.

With a solid foundation in creativity and a strategic mindset honed through years of experience, I bring a unique blend of skills to any professional setting. My passion for innovation and dedication to excellence drive me to succeed in all endeavors, making me an invaluable asset in creative arts, marketing, and project management.

Claudine Umuhire Gasana | Gasana Law Firm

Claudine Umuhire Gasana is an Immigration Attorney and the Founder of the Law Office of Claudine U. Gasana PLLC. Licensed in New York, Texas, and federal jurisdictions, she has 14 years of experience representing clients in business immigration, family-based immigration, and removal proceedings.

A dedicated advocate for immigrant rights, Claudine has provided expert commentary on immigration policy for major media outlets, including the Houston Chronicle, Voice of America (VOA), BBC Africa, and Fox NewsNow. She has also served as a panelist for continuing legal education (CLE) programs, including Bias and Race in Immigration Law: Issues Faced by Black Immigrants, organized by Deportation Defense Houston (DDH).

In 2021, Claudine was honored with the Community Service Award by the African Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Houston, Texas. Since 2018, she has hosted free legal clinics at a local international church and regularly presents CLEs and seminars on immigration law. As an immigrant herself, she is passionate about providing zealous, compassionate representation to immigrant communities.

Claudine earned her LLB in Rwanda in 2003 and her Master of Law (LLM) from SMU Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas, in 2010. She has served as a mentor to Dedman Law students through the Mustang Exchange Program since 2021.

Session I – School Law and Immigration: Compliance, Rights, and Policy in a Shifting Landscape | 1:00pm – 3:10pm

• Constitutional protections under Plyler v. Doe
• FERPA and enrollment privacy rights
• Title VI and language access mandates

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

• ICE enforcement and “sensitive location” policies
• DACA, TPS, and new protections for undocumented students
• School district policy development and legal risk mitigation

Break | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

Session II – Supporting Immigrant Youth in Schools: Legal Relief, Policy Trends, and Collaborative Best Practices | 3:20pm – 4:20pm

• Immigration relief options for school-aged children and youth, such as Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), asylum, and U visas—particularly where educators or school staff may play a supportive role
• Emerging developments in immigration law that may have implications for K–12 education but are not yet reflected in school district policies
• Best practices for legal-community partnerships with school districts, including how attorneys and advocates can collaborate with schools to support immigrant students and families