President Trump’s immigration policies have intensified the ongoing issue of absenteeism in U.S. schools.
Experts emphasize the importance of developing proactive strategies for student organizations as the fall semester approaches, especially as recent studies indicate that increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities may lead to greater class absences among undocumented students.
“We’ve realized that communication plays a key role. School districts need to clearly convey information to families, understand their fears, and outline the protections in place to help prevent student detentions,” a professional noted.
A recent study from Stanford University has shown a 22% rise in absenteeism during January and February across five school districts in California.
Analysts attribute this increase, in part, to ICE activities that occurred under both former President Biden and Trump during the early months of the year.
The study found notable increases in absenteeism among Latino students, with kindergarten absenteeism rising by 30%, middle school by 27%, and high school by 8%.
This was further compounded by a significant immigration raid in Los Angeles earlier this month, which sparked widespread protests and prompted Trump to request military support.
For educators, these raids instill fear within migrant communities, making them more apprehensive about encountering ICE agents at schools.
“We’ve partnered with many schools in Texas, New Jersey, and New York, and they’re seeing early signs of declining enrollment, even in summer sessions. Parents are afraid to send their children to school,” said Viridiana Carrizales, the co-founder and CEO of Immschools, an organization focused on the intersection of immigration and education.
Experts recommend that schools maintain open lines of communication with parents regarding protections for student information and protocols should ICE arrive.
The Trump administration had previously lifted guidance restricting ICE activities at K-12 institutions, yet there have been no confirmed incidents of federal agents enforcing such measures. Should it occur, officers would require a judicial warrant to enter schools.
For undocumented parents, a larger concern is the logistics of getting their children to and from school, as many avoid going out for fear of being recognized in their communities.
“Another thing we emphasize for school districts is the consideration of transportation,” Carrizales explained.
“We aim to reduce that risk of exposure. We might need new policies or shifts regarding transportation,” she added.
This situation arises as chronic absenteeism has been a persistent challenge for schools since the Covid-19 pandemic. Data from Future ED indicates a chronic absence rate of 28% for the 2021-2022 academic year, dropping to 25% the following year, and projecting 23% for 2023-2024.
The consequences are severe, resulting in significant declines in academic performance and graduation rates.
“Building trust is crucial for schools, regardless of one’s role. It’s essential for families to feel that their children are safe,” an expert remarked.
However, fostering this trust isn’t straightforward, especially in regions where deportation laws are supported, placing schools in tricky positions with local or state politicians.
“One of the most frustrating aspects is that, despite the current circumstances, districts often hesitate to take meaningful actions to support these families. It can be disheartening to witness this inaction, especially when families express concern about their children’s safety,” a concerned individual stated.
