Trump expanded ICE raids fuel school absenteeism surge.

Trump expanded ICE raids spark fear, causing a sharp rise in school absenteeism. Educators warn of long-term effects on learning and mental health.

School Attendance Drops Nationwide

School districts in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Denver report significant attendance declines due to highly publicized ICE raids near schools and bus stops. Some classrooms have seen as many as two-thirds of students absent.

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero said, “Children fear coming to school because they worry their families could be taken away.” He noted that in one instance, ICE agents delayed school buses and detained two students’ parents, leaving the children without immediate guardians.

Following a change in policy, ICE targets schools.

Prior administrations considered churches and schools “sensitive locations,” so officials often avoided immigration enforcement there. President Donald Trump, however, reversed that policy and instructed ICE officers to make arrests using “common sense,” including at bus stops and schools.

Federal judges are now taking over as a result. Denver Public Schools has filed a court move to limit ICE efforts near schools and bus stops, and a judge recently prohibited ICE from conducting operations at some churches.

Impact on Students and Communities

The psychological toll on students has been severe. Reports indicate children are experiencing heightened anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and emotional distress due to the fear of deportation. In Texas, a school police department is investigating after an 11-year-old girl tragically died by suicide following alleged bullying over her family’s immigration status.

Teachers and parents worry that the fear and stress will create a learning crisis, undoing years of progress made since the pandemic. Some districts, like Chicago Public Schools, are organizing “sanctuary teams” to support students affected by these raids.

The Immigration Enforcement Debate at Schools

Proponents contend that schools need to continue to be secure places where kids may concentrate on their studies without worrying about danger. The Chicago Teachers Union said in a statement that Trump’s new policy is a disservice to neighborhoods and that pupils should feel safe at school.

Conservative leaders, meanwhile, maintain that ICE must uphold immigration rules. Trump supporters have even demanded that the Supreme Court’s ruling ensuring free public education for children without legal status be overturned.

What Happens Next?

Due to the growing number of legal challenges, the battle over ICE raids at schools is far from done. While the Trump administration maintains its strict immigration policies, advocacy organizations, families, and schools are working to provide kids with clear safeguards.

Should immigration enforcement not be allowed in schools? As communities experience the profound effects of these policies, the discussion goes on.

Source: USA Today