This story was produced by Chalkbeat and reprinted with permission. Sign up for Chalkbeat’s free weekly newsletter to keep up with how education is changing across the U.S.
In 2019, a large-scale immigration raid at chicken processing plants in Mississippi led to the arrest of nearly 700 undocumented workers, many of whom were parents. This dramatic event sent shockwaves through local schools as children were left without guardians.
Students received frantic messages to leave class, and unfamiliar people arrived to pick up children. Schools hurried to ensure no child went home alone, while a local gym owner set up a temporary shelter for those with nowhere else to go. In the Scott County School District, a quarter of the Latino students were absent the following day, as staff went door to door with food to reassure families.
“We went into kind of a Mom and Dad mode and just cared for kids,” said Tony McGee, the district’s then-superintendent. Some children quickly recovered, but many were left traumatized for months.
Massive workplace raids have happened before, targeting both undocumented workers and their employers as part of immigration enforcement efforts. If former President Donald Trump wins another term and enacts strict immigration policies, similar incidents could become more common, affecting millions of children and their schools.
Trump has pledged to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, using resources from local police to the National Guard and military. He and running mate J.D. Vance have avoided answering whether they would deport parents of U.S. citizen children.
Educators worry such plans would lead to increased responsibilities, like providing food and counseling for affected students. Schools serving immigrant communities should prepare now, as an estimated 4.4 million U.S.-born children have at least one undocumented parent.
Trump has suggested ending sanctuary school policies that some districts enacted during his previous presidency. He has also proposed ending automatic citizenship for children born to undocumented parents and has not ruled out deporting women and children.
Immigrant rights advocates fear Trump would end the federal policy that treats schools as “sensitive” areas, where immigration enforcement is limited to not deter children from attending school. “Enforcement actions… have a ripple effect,” said Heidi Altman, director of federal advocacy at the National Immigration Law Center.
The Mississippi raids were traumatic for children, many witnessing their parents handcuffed. Research shows such operations lead to emotional distress, as children suffer from post-traumatic stress and anxiety. Families often face financial hardship, with children taking on additional responsibilities.
Schools can prepare by developing emergency protocols for signing out children if a caretaker is unavailable and identifying potential temporary shelters. McGee emphasized that the focus should be on caring for children, not getting involved in political debates.
For students like Kheri Martinez, who lived through the 2019 raids, the experience left lasting scars. Her family had to develop a plan for future raids, with Martinez committed to finishing her education in the U.S.
Community organizers like Lorena Quiroz continue to support affected families, offering aid and legal assistance. The impact of the raids remains vivid for many, as they hope such events do not become widespread.
This story was produced by Chalkbeat and reprinted with permission. Sign up for Chalkbeat’s free weekly newsletter to keep up with how education is changing across the U.S.
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