West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB5644: To establish provisions regarding student immigration status and nationality in WV public educational institutions
Status: Introduced, February 17, 2026
What the bill says
To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §18-36-1; and to amend the code by adding a new article, designated §18B-23-1, relating to establishing provisions regarding student immigration status and nationality in West Virginia public educational institutions. CHAPTER 18. EDUCATION. ARTICLE 36. STUDENT IMMIGRATION STATUS AND NATIONALITY IN WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. §18-36-1. Student immigration status and nationality in West Virginia public educational institutions. (a) As used in this article: (1) "Accredited instituti.
From the introduced text:
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §18-36-1; and to amend the code by adding a new article, designated §18B-23-1, relating to establishing provisions regarding student immigration status and nationality in West Virginia public educational institutions. CHAPTER 18. EDUCATION. ARTICLE 36. STUDENT IMMIGRATION STATUS AND NATIONALITY IN WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. §18-36-1. Student immigration status and nationality in West Virginia public educational institutions. (a) As used in this article: (1) "Accredited institution of higher education" means any public or private university, college, or community college in West Virginia accredited by the Higher Education Policy Commission on colleges and universities or any public career technical school operated by the state of West Virginia or any political subdivision of the state. (2) "Elementary and secondary schools" means schools that serve kindergarten through grade 12, inclusive, or any combination of such grades. (3) "Immigration status" means a person's legal status in the United States as governed by the immigration and nationality act. It includes the following (B) Permanent residents, including lawful permanent residents who are granted authorization to live and work in the United States indefinitely and conditional permanent residents who gained status through marriage or certain investor programs, which status is contingent on fulfilling specific conditions; (C) Non-immigrants who are …