Immigrant children in the United States are increasingly facing intimidation and fear in schools as the Trump administration implements aggressive immigration policies. The recent changes have left many families concerned about their safety and the potential for deportation during school hours.
One of the first actions taken by the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security was to revoke longstanding protections that limited immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship. For decades, both Democratic and Republican administrations adhered to these policies, which aimed to create safe spaces for vulnerable populations. However, the new administration’s decision to eliminate these protections has raised alarms among immigrant communities and their advocates.
In response to the heightened fear, California legislators are taking steps to bolster protections against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in schools. The state already prohibits public schools from collecting immigration information about students and their families. Recently, lawmakers introduced bills that would further restrict ICE from entering schools and daycares without a judicial warrant. Another proposed measure aims to use emergency notification systems in schools to alert families about the presence of immigration officers.
Despite these state-level efforts, the federal government retains the authority to enforce immigration laws, which means ICE could still conduct operations near schools or during school events. According to estimates from the Migration Policy Institute, approximately 5 million children in the U.S. live with at least one undocumented parent, making school drop-offs potential targets for immigration enforcement.
Critics argue that the administration’s approach is more about creating a spectacle of toughness rather than addressing real security concerns. Vice President JD Vance recently suggested that the policy change was necessary to prevent violent criminals from entering schools, despite evidence that existing policies already allowed for emergency actions when necessary.
The fear of deportation is not limited to federal actions; local school districts have also begun imposing stricter requirements on immigrant students. In Saugus, Massachusetts, the school district has started demanding proof of legal residency from new students. Similarly, the Oklahoma State Board of Education voted to require parents to provide proof of citizenship when enrolling their children. These measures echo the controversial Proposition 187 from 1994, which sought to restrict access to public services for undocumented immigrants but was ultimately struck down in court.
The Plyler v. Doe Supreme Court decision in 1982 established that denying undocumented children access to public education was unconstitutional. However, with the current court’s willingness to overturn established precedents, there are concerns that similar challenges to this ruling could arise.
Oklahoma’s school superintendent, Ryan Walters, has framed his opposition to immigrant children as an economic issue, demanding federal reimbursement for educating these students. However, the Plyler decision highlighted the contributions of undocumented immigrants to local economies and argued against creating a subclass of uneducated individuals.
As immigrant families grapple with the implications of these policies, California’s educational leaders are urged to take a stand. The Los Angeles Unified School District has initiated plans for teacher training and distribution of "know your rights" cards to help families understand their legal protections. Former Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye has previously raised concerns about ICE’s presence in courthouses, emphasizing the need for vigilance in protecting educational environments as well.
The current climate of fear and uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement is impacting not only immigrant children but also the broader educational landscape. Attendance and learning are compromised when students feel unsafe in their schools. Advocates argue that it is essential for states and localities to uphold their constitutional duty to educate all children, regardless of their immigration status, and to resist federal pressures that threaten this fundamental right.