Rebecca Koenig Interim Senior Editorial Director | EdSurge Research
Panicked calls from parents and increased absences in classrooms are some of the effects reported by school officials nationwide following the Trump administration's decision to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct raids on school grounds. Despite no arrests at schools being reported, fear persists as mass deportations remain a presidential priority. A judge recently denied a request to prevent ICE from entering K-12 campuses in Denver Public Schools, where the fear of deportation has contributed to higher absentee rates.
Research indicates that stress can significantly impact students' learning abilities, a concern that has been exacerbated since the pandemic began. The psychological toll on immigrant children and those with immigrant family members is likely to increase as immigration arrests rise across the country. In Los Angeles, an incident involving a man arrested by immigration officers in front of his children highlights this issue. Additionally, a 9-year-old Denver student was summoned before an immigration judge after her mother's arrest by ICE.
Germán A. Cadenas, associate director of the Center for Youth Social Emotional Wellness at Rutgers University in New Jersey, spoke with EdSurge about how stress affects children's learning and development. He emphasized that "stress, especially when children don't feel safe, is not helpful to their development or their learning." Stress in classrooms can have spillover effects impacting all students and teachers.
Cadenas also discussed observations from visiting immigrant shelters along the Texas-Mexico border last year. He noted that immigrants often seek better conditions for themselves and their families despite facing desperate circumstances. "It really speaks to the resilience of immigrants and immigrant families," he said.
To support immigrant students amid these challenges, Cadenas suggests educational institutions foster safe environments through culturally responsive mental health services and legal rights education programs. He emphasized that welcoming behaviors towards immigrants are linked to positive academic engagement and mental health outcomes.
Addressing long-term impacts of anti-immigrant policies like Arizona's SB 1070 law from 2010, Cadenas pointed out that aggressive enforcement could have lasting effects on children’s wellbeing depending on individual circumstances. Collaborating with organizations such as ImmSchools has shown improved psychological wellbeing among students participating in supportive programs.
In light of threats to diversity initiatives due to funding constraints, educators face challenges supporting all students adequately. However, Cadenas believes there remains room for educators to make positive impacts by creating inclusive environments free from discrimination while promoting factual information about immigration.
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