Immigrant families fear sending their children to school due to new immigration policies announced by President Donald Trump earlier this week, which allow arrests at schools, churches and hospitals. The new policy reverses previous guidance that restricted immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, affecting an estimated 733,000 school-aged children in the U.S. illegally.
The change has caused anxiety among undocumented families.
Educators reassured immigrant parents that schools are safe despite fears of deportation and immigration raids, which have left many families anxious and confused.
Some parents view schools as one of the last safe places for their children, while others fear returning to their home countries due to violence.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that “criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”