Dorn Under Fire for Asking Student About Immigration Status

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington's Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn is under fire for asking a student about his immigration status.

The Seattle Times reports that during a visit to Raisbeck Aviation High School on Thursday, Dorn was meeting with students when one mentioned he attended school in Mexico, prompting Dorn to ask the student if he is "legal or illegal."

After the conversation the student, who is an American citizen, said he thought the question was inappropriate.

Dorn said Friday that he has never asked that question before but that he knew his phrasing was inappropriate. He said he meant to ask how the student came from Mexico to the Tukwila school.

Critics say Dorn's use of the term "legal" perpetuates the assumption that Latino students are foreign and criminalizes the existence of undocumented students.