SAN FRANCISCO — As President Donald Trump continues to apply strict measures against illegal immigration, many families are left questioning the safety of sending their children to school.
In response, numerous school districts have worked to reassure immigrant parents that educational institutions remain secure environments for their children, despite the president’s commitment to extensive deportation efforts. However, anxiety grew when the Trump administration announced that federal immigration authorities would now be permitted to conduct arrests in schools, places of worship, and healthcare facilities, reversing a policy that had been in place since 2011.
Carmen, an immigrant from Mexico, expressed her disbelief at the decision. “Oh, dear God! I can’t imagine why they would do that,” she said, after taking her two young grandchildren, aged 6 and 4, to school in the San Francisco Bay Area, reassured by school officials about their safety.
“What has helped calm my nerves is knowing that the school stands with us and promised to inform us if it’s not safe at school,” added Carmen, who requested that only her first name be used for fear of immigration repercussions.
Nationwide, many immigrants have been apprehensive about Trump’s promises to deport millions, and the rapid shifts in immigration policy have left many feeling confused and anxious about their status. Schools across the country reported an influx of calls from concerned parents anxious about potential raids, although it remained unclear whether substantial numbers of students were staying home.
Missing school goes beyond a mere disruption in learning; for low-income families, which include many immigrant households, schools are vital access points for essential resources such as food, mental health support, and other forms of assistance.
The recent directive permitting immigration arrests in schools has undone previous guidelines intended to safeguard sensitive locations from such enforcement actions. The Department of Homeland Security stated that “criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”
Shock and outrage were prevalent among educators in the wake of the announcement. Daniela Anello, who leads D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School, voiced her horror, remarking, “It’s horrific. There’s no such thing as hiding anyone. It’s ridiculous.”
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman indicated in his memo issuing the policy change that strict rules regarding immigration enforcement in sensitive areas are unnecessary but maintained that officers should utilize discretion and good judgment.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, there are approximately 733,000 school-aged children living in the U.S. illegally, along with many more who are U.S. citizens but have undocumented parents.
In certain regions, educational leaders have committed to defending the rights of immigrant students and their access to public education. California officials, for instance, provided guidance to educational institutions regarding state laws that limit local involvement in immigration enforcement.
In November, the Chicago Public Schools’ Board of Education resolved that schools would not aid Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in enforcing immigration laws, stating that agents would require a criminal warrant to enter schools. Furthermore, principals in New York City were reminded of district policies that include prohibitions against gathering information on students’ immigration statuses.
However, not all districts have extended such reassurances. The educators at Georgia’s Fugees Academy Charter School reported that even families who are legally in the U.S. felt intimidated by the sweeping proposals for deportation. “They’re not even at risk of deportation and they’re still scared,” said Chief Operating Officer Luma Mufleh, who indicated that attendance was expected to drop significantly in the days following Trump’s inauguration, leading educators to rearrange exam schedules.
Michael Lukens, executive director at the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, suggests that the new immigration policy may lead some immigrant parents to hesitate in sending their children to school, despite the minimal risk of deportation. He believes that the administration’s strategy aims to make living in the U.S. unbearable for immigrants, prompting them to self-deport.
While many adults in the U.S. support targeted deportations, a move to detain undocumented children at schools faces strong opposition, according to a recent survey indicating that only 20% of U.S. adults somewhat or strongly favor this approach.
Iris Gonzalez, a resident of Boston from Guatemala, sees schools as one of the few safe spaces available to her family. She has been a part of the Boston school system for nearly ten years and relies on the belief that her daughters won’t be questioned regarding their legal status. “Education is important,” she affirmed in Spanish.
Still, Gonzalez has concerns about potential encounters with law enforcement in situations such as attending court or driving, which cause her anxiety and sleepless nights. “What if they stop me?” she pondered.
Carmen, the grandmother from Mexico, shared how returning to her homeland is not a viable option after her family faced threats following her son-in-law’s kidnapping in Michoacan, a region plagued with violence from drug trafficking gangs. They arrived in the U.S. two years ago under a program that allowed asylum-seekers to enter and apply for residency, which has since been terminated by Trump.
Amid ongoing hearings regarding her asylum application, Carmen expressed her deep fears. “My biggest fear is that we don’t have anywhere to go back to,” she remarked. “It’s about saving our lives. And protecting our children.”
