President Donald Trump’s first day in office marked a significant shift in immigration policy, rescinding protections that previously limited enforcement in schools and sensitive locations. This policy reversal threatens the core American belief that all children have the right to an education, inciting fear among immigrant families nationwide.
The repercussions are visible across the country. Denver, which enrolled 4,000 immigrant children in the 2023-24 school year, sued the Department of Homeland Security over the policy change, highlighting the fear of raids affecting student attendance. A federal judge recently denied Denver’s injunction request, leaving schools nationwide to manage the crisis independently.
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This situation is not isolated to Denver. In New York City, where 48,000 newcomer students have been enrolled since 2022, attendance plummeted post-policy reversal. A Venezuelan mother reported that 100 children in her shelter avoided school out of deportation fears.
In Fresno, California, attendance dropped by 700 to 1,000 students daily since Trump’s tenure began, according to the AP. Parents, anxious over rumored immigration raids, frequently called educators, with one principal even delivering groceries to a terrified family.
Parents who send their children to school still live with constant anxiety. In Brooklyn, a Venezuelan father included photocopies of his children’s asylum documents in their backpacks, yet panicked when they were late being dismissed. “There’s such fear and uncertainty,” he remarked to reporters.
The Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe (1982) decision ensures every child, regardless of immigration status, can access public education. Despite this, families fear school attendance could lead to deportation. Educators, already managing other crises, now also defend students against immigration threats, which is emotionally overwhelming.
Chronic absenteeism, exacerbated by the erosion of trust between families and schools, is already a challenge. Fear of family separation adds another barrier to education, with lost instruction having lasting effects. A Stanford University study noted the stark impact of local immigration enforcement, with over 320,000 Hispanic students displaced in 2018 where police collaborated with ICE.
Districts nationwide are adopting proactive measures. New York City principals must contact district lawyers if ICE attempts school entry. Los Angeles provides information cards detailing parental rights. In Fresno, schools advise families on rights and asset liquidation planning.
In Pennsylvania, the ACLU and Education Law Center issued guidance for school districts, with Norristown, Wilkinsburg, and Pittsburgh developing formal protocols. California’s proposed legislation offers a model for other states, requiring warrants for school-based immigration enforcement and establishing safety zones.
Related: Changes to child care centers’ protection from immigration authorities
Legislation and litigation alone won’t suffice. Schools must build comprehensive support systems: partner with community organizations for safe transportation and escort programs and ensure bilingual communication for families.
Despite efforts, schools can’t completely counteract the damage from policies that instill fear in families. Educational institutions should foster learning, not fear. Yet, for many students, fear is a part of school life, whether from potential violence or immigration enforcement risks.
This issue transcends a single policy change, questioning whether every child will receive the promise of education. Educators strive to protect students from fear, but they shouldn’t bear this burden alone.
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