Some Immigrant Families Weigh Risk of Sending Kids to School
Schools Work to Reassure Parents
As President Donald Trump’s administration cracks down on immigrants in the U.S. illegally, some families are wondering if it is safe to send their children to school. In many districts, educators have sought to reassure immigrant parents that schools are safe places for their kids, despite the president’s campaign pledge to carry out mass deportations. However, fears intensified for some when the Trump administration announced Tuesday it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches, and hospitals, ending a policy that has been in effect since 2011.
"Oh, dear God! I can’t imagine why they would do that," said Carmen, an immigrant from Mexico, after hearing that the Trump administration had rescinded the policy against arrests in "sensitive locations." She took her two grandchildren, ages 6 and 4, to their school in the San Francisco Bay Area after school officials assured her it is safe.
The Impact on Student Attendance
At a time when many migrant families – even those in the country legally – are assessing whether and how to go about in public, many school systems are watching for effects on student attendance. Several schools said they were fielding calls from worried parents about rumors that immigration agents would try to enter schools, but it was too early to tell whether large numbers of families are keeping their children home.
The Importance of School
Missing school can deprive students of more than learning. For students from low-income families, including many immigrants, schools are a primary way to access food, mental health services, and other support.
Reactions from Educators
Daniela Anello, who heads D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School in the nation’s capital, said she was shocked by the announcement. "It’s horrific," Anello said. "There’s no such thing as hiding anyone. It doesn’t happen, hasn’t happened. It’s ridiculous."
Consequences of the New Policy
The new policy on immigration enforcement at schools likely will prompt some immigrant parents who fear deportation to keep their children home, even if they face little risk, said Michael Lukens, executive director for the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights. He said he believes it’s part of the administration’s goal to make life so untenable that immigrants eventually leave the United States on their own.
Conclusion
The debate surrounding the new policy on immigration enforcement at schools highlights the challenges faced by immigrant families, who are already vulnerable to deportation and uncertainty. While some schools are working to reassure parents, others may be forced to confront the harsh reality of living in a country where immigration policies can have a significant impact on daily life.
FAQs
- What is the new policy on immigration enforcement at schools?
The Trump administration has announced that it will allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches, and hospitals, ending a policy that has been in effect since 2011. - How will this policy affect immigrant families?
The policy is likely to prompt some immigrant parents who fear deportation to keep their children home, even if they face little risk, according to experts. - What are schools doing to reassure parents?
Some schools are working to reassure parents that their schools are safe places for their kids, despite the president’s campaign pledge to carry out mass deportations. - What is the impact of this policy on student attendance?
The policy’s impact on student attendance is still unclear, but some schools have reported fielding calls from worried parents about rumors that immigration agents would try to enter schools.
