( CNN ) -- A top U.S. Justice Department official warned Alabama 's education department that the state 's controversial immigration law has had `` lasting '' and possibly illegal consequences for Hispanic school children , according to a letter released Thursday . `` ( The law has ) diminished access to and quality of education for many of Alabama 's Hispanic children , resulted in missed school days , chilled or prevented the participation of parents in their children 's education , and transformed the climates of some schools into less safe and welcoming spaces for Hispanic children , '' wrote Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez , head of the federal department 's Civil Rights Division . The legislation , known as HB 56 , has several provisions , including one requiring police who make lawful traffic stops or arrests to try to determine the immigration status of anyone they suspect might be in the country illegally . A federal appeals court has blocked some components , however , including one requiring Alabama officials to check the immigration status of children in public schools . Even with such changes mandated by the courts and others proposed by legislators , Perez argues in a letter to state Superintendent of Education Thomas Bice that the bill already has had negative effects . He points to data provided by Alabama officials that , he says , shows that `` Hispanic students absence rates tripled while absence rates for other groups of students remained virtually flat . '' That includes a sharp drop in those getting schooling through English as a second language programs , meaning they did not `` receive the educational services to which they are legally entitled . '' Perez also writes that `` the rate of total withdrawals of Hispanic children substantially increased , '' with 13.4 % of such children having dropped out between the beginning of the current school year and this February . '' There was no immediate comment Thursday night from the state about Perez 's letter . Three weeks ago , state Department of Education spokeswoman Malissa Valdes said that when the law went into effect last September , there were about 1,200 daily absences more than normal of Hispanic students . This compares to a normal absentee rate of about 900 to 1,000 students . In mid-March , that number was 1,478 absences among Hispanics and the number fell to 1,340 in April , said Valdes . Notably , the Alabama law as written allows students to be questioned on their immigration status , though this information was not intended to deny them enrollment in public schools . One of the bill 's authors , state Sen. Scott Beason , defended the idea of checking students ' legal status . `` I think it 's important that we gather that data , '' said Beason , a Republican like most of the members of the state 's legislature . `` I do n't think there 's anything inherently wrong with collecting the data , and I think the courts will agree . '' Nearly 99 % of all Alabama K-12 public school students are U.S. citizens , said Perez . And many of those of Hispanic origin feel `` unwelcome in schools they had attended for years , '' he added , basing these comments on interviews with students , parents , teachers and administrators . Many reported `` being singled out to receive notices or attend assemblies about HB 56 , '' as well as `` increased anxiety and diminished concentration in school , deteriorating grades and increased hostility , bullying and intimidation , '' said the civil rights division chief . Perez noted the U.S. Department of Justice 's duty to enforce laws that bar `` discrimination on the basis of race , color or national origin , '' and requirements that `` affirmative measures '' be taken to assist students for whom English is n't their native language . `` Further , the United States Supreme Court held ( in a 1982 case ) that a state may not deny a child equal access to public education based on his or her immigration status , '' he said . Several supporters of the law , including Gov . Robert Bentley , have suggested changes to the law -- considered one of the toughest in the country , along with Arizona 's landmark legislation -- but have been adamant that the core of it remain in tact . Todd Stacy , a spokesman to House Speaker Mike Hubbard , said late last year that such discussions dealt with improving the law , `` clearing up misconceptions and correcting any portions that might be vague or require additional definitions . '' `` Make no mistake , the legislature is not going to repeal this law and have Alabama become a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants , '' Stacy said . CNN 's Gustavo Valdes contributed to this report .
Justice Department 's civil rights chief sends letter to Alabama 's superintendent . He says Hispanics ' absences , withdrawals soar due to the state 's immigration law . Some Hispanic students report feeling unwelcome , singled out and bullied , he says . Proponents defend the law , saying Alabama wo n't be a sanctuary for illegal immigrants .