About 4.4 million children born in the United States have at least one undocumented parent. The Pew Research Center estimates that 733,000 children are undocumented. Immigration is a focus of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign; Donald Trump promised to start mass deportations and a push to end citizenship. Teachers and school leaders think about it.
Expulsion will happen?
Right now, we don’t know how much rhetoric will become reality as the Trump administration takes over Washington. In his first term, Trump followed deportations and segregation, so this situation is not new for families in the undocumented community, said Carrizales of AmaMysSchools, a non-profit that works for the schools of the way to reach students. His team has been leading school leaders, teachers, and students to prepare them with the knowledge and skills they need if there is a new round of evictions.
The big question for teachers, said Carrizales, is whether any of these attacks or acts of coercion will happen in schools. For many years, schools have been protected or protected areas, but that could change now that Donald Trump is in office. The Trump administration has said it will eliminate a policy that prevented immigration agents from arresting undocumented immigrants near churches, schools, hospitals, and other places, such as funerals or weddings. If schools are not secure, immigration agents can stop parents and children during pick-up or drop-off, and parents may not send children to school at all, out of fear.
Will this vary from State to State?
Already, each state handles mass deportation demands differently. In Missouri, the mother-in-law suggested that residents who pay residents to notify when a person is registered if the person is not registered. The Texas law (SB 4) allows state officials to enforce immigration laws on state territory, including detaining people crossing the US-Mexico border. And in 2024, some state legislatures proposed bills that would use the legal system to enforce Federal immigration and punish people who enter the legal situation. Depending on the state, undocumented people may live under protective laws, dangerous laws, or no law at all (currently).
Teachers are worried.
One teacher posted on Sist Paypline: “Things that keep me up at night… Do some of your districts have a deportation plan? If so, what might it look like? If you could share.”
Teachers responded with their concerns:
In response to the announcement that the writer in trouble in Missouri is thinking of paying people $ 1,000 for each undocumented immigrant that they turn in, “I don’t think that people will be able to send their children to school because there will be at least one student who sees it as a day of payment.”
April B. shares her experience from the previous Trump Administration, where there are attacks on the wrists of large Meatpacking employers and workers. After the attack, students were placed with older siblings or family, and a few were placed in foster care or deported. “The best thing you can do is have those previous relationships so they know you’re a safe person coming in.”
One teacher was reminded that when an attack happened in 2016, her school worked with families to create a phone tree they could use to quickly share and warn of an attack. Fortunately, nothing happened, but jumping ahead of a possible attack is supported.
Teacher Jodi O. Explained that schools should be safe spaces. “Schools are supposed to be a ‘sensitive environment,’ and students cannot be removed from them unless there are extraordinary circumstances. Also, Ferpa prohibits us from providing personal information about our students.”
So, what should teachers know about how to manage immigration policy as it affects schools and students?
First, know the rights and protections of your students.
Carrizales recommends understanding the policies and protection policies, as well as the policies that are already in place in your state. Families and students have rights, such as their right to go to school. Knowing those rights makes teachers ready to support families and push back if someone wants information or actions that are against federal law.
In addition to doing the right thing, teachers also want to avoid inadvertently putting students at risk. “Trust legal and state students, knowing that knowledge can be the difference between supporting students and putting themselves at risk,” said Carrizales.
Use Ferpa to your advantage.
All teachers should know that the federal privacy law, Ferpa, prohibits schools and teachers from giving out student information. Even if the Federal request asks for information, schools cannot provide information without following Ferpa protocols.
Speak it.
Within your school, talk about how you will deal with potential situations. What happens if the immigration officer shows up in the middle of the day? What happens if the child’s parents do not come to pick them up after school? How would you explain the threat of expulsion to your students? Having a plan for these situations will help you respond in a supportive, purposeful way.
Prepare students.
Teachers of older students can teach students what to look for when a Federal official comes to their door, and how to talk to government officials. Having phrases in English that they can use, and knowing the difference in different types of officers (local police vs. immigration officer) or what the different types of warrants look like, can help students make the right decision in the moment.
Be an honest person.
With all students, Carrizales recommends building trust with parents and students so parents see the school as a trustworthy organization. Work with counselors and school social workers to respond to student concerns and family concerns.
Resources for teachers and schools
Many thanks to the Children’s Defense Fund for this comprehensive list. Please visit their website for more information.
Resources from AFT, NILC, and Clasp, January 2025
These fact sheets provide information on how schools can protect student privacy, protect against bullying, and support students and families affected by bullying.
More January 2025 Resources
- How school districts can take action to protect their immigrant studentsCentury Foundation, December 2024
- It explains the 2017 NYC Public School Policy sets out how to protect migrant students from forced outages and how some school districts can save.
- Legal authority for “sanctuary” school policiesNilc, August 2018
- It provides feedback on the rights of schools related to immigrant students and families, and provides guidance for developing inclusive policies in school settings.
- Promoting a safe and secure learning environment for all: guidance and model policies to help California K-12 schools respond to immigration issues, California DOJ, Office of the Attorney General, December 2024.
- A guide from California to equip local agencies with the updated information and resources needed to continue to provide safe, welcoming environments for all students and protect the rights of students and their families.
- Immigration Enforcement in SchoolsMaldives, January 2025
- Guidance from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Security Fund on the termination of public schools in public schools as related Plyer v. Doe.
- Immschools Safe Space Solutions
- The Imsschools Resources folder has information on creating safe space policies, responding to Ice Agents in schools, and resources on subpoenas and warrants.
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