The US Department of Education, OCR, initiated an investigation after a complaint was filed by Silverio Garcia Jr. from the Civil Rights Center, a non for profit organization which monitors Federal funds recipients' compliance on Civil Rights related laws and rulings, along with a group of concerned citizens, among them members of The Arizona DREAM Act Coalition (the ADAC).

The US Department of Education, OCR, alleges that, under Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) shall make changes to address the following allegations: That MCCCD...

1.-Discriminated in the basis of national origin by engaging in practices that may chill or discourage the enrollment of High School students in their Charter Schools based on their or their parents' or guardians' actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status.

2.-Discriminated against national origin of minority individuals in the basis of their limited English proficiency by failing to provide meaningful access to information and services and by failing to provide meaningful access to Board Meetings.

MCCCD has received notification of the results of the investigation.  Rufus Glasper, MCCCD Chancellor, has signed an agreement where specific corrective actions are listed to address both issues, with a time frame for compliance. The US Department of Education, OCR, has opened the monitoring phase of the agreement and may continue investigating, even initiate administrative enforcement or judicial proceedings against MCCCD in order to enforce the agreement.

"Nobody in a responsible leadership position at MCCCD has been really concerned on matters of equality and access. The days of "no meddling" by Board Members in the administration's business are over. It is past time that the community and all students and parents have equal access and respect no matter one's language, color, ethnicity or national origin. I personally look forward to having an amicable, fruitful dialogue with the MCCCD Board Members in the days to come to solve these issues", said Silverio Garcia Jr., Founder and Executive Director of the Civil Rights Center.

"This federal ruling by the US Department of Education, OCR,  is a great opportunity to make corrections to MCCCD so the institution is more inclusive and can serve all members of the community better. We have been noticing failures in the system for some time and we are glad that the Federal government is backing our concerns with this careful, meticulous discrimination investigation and agreement', said Mr. Garcia.

"The harsh anti-immigration, anti-education laws in Arizona have provided a platform to certain individuals in institutions to apply them to the fullest extent. Their zealotry has caused an overreach that invades legitimate, protected rights granted by this beautiful country. It is just a matter of time and patience to discover injustice and come back with the tools necessary to push back some of these extreme policies", said Carmen Cornejo, DREAM Act and immigrant youth advocate.

"We are seeking members of the community to come forward with issues where MCCCD has not being responsive.  We want to use this opportunity to make this important institution better and more compliant to offer education for all", said Dulce Matuz, Chair of the Arizona DREAM Act Coalition (The ADAC).