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The removal of the policy that protected schools from immigration raids has turned campuses into places of fear for thousands of students in the United States.
The two main teachers' unions in the United States filed a lawsuit against the administration of President Donald Trump for allowing immigration arrests in schools and churches, which has caused fear, school dropout, and anxiety among students, educators, and families.
The information was published by the Associated Press (AP), which indicates that the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), representing more than 4 million school workers across the country, accuse the government of violating the law by eliminating the policy that for decades restricted immigration agents from acting in “sensitive locations,” such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship.
The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in Eugene, Oregon, and joins another one filed in April by an agricultural union and a group of churches.
Everyone is questioning the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision to eliminate the 2021 directive that protected minors' access to education and people's right to their religious spaces without fear of raids.
One of the most cited cases occurred at a preschool in Oregon, where masked agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) smashed the window of a vehicle and forcibly removed a student's father shortly after he dropped the child off on campus.
The incident prompted an emergency closure of the school, and the teachers played music so that the children wouldn't hear the chaos outside.
Lauren Fong, the child's teacher, questioned in an interview: "Why in a school? Why not somewhere else, anywhere else?"
AP reported that the arrest took place in the parking lot of the educational center, which is private property and was filled with young children, it was stated.
The Department of Homeland Security responded to the criticism by stating that agents need approval from a supervisor to take action in schools or churches, and that such cases should be "extremely rare."
However, the lawsuit documents several incidents in schools in Oregon, California, and Texas, including one in Los Angeles, where armed and masked agents ordered a 15-year-old child with disabilities to exit a vehicle while they were searching for a suspect, who turned out to be someone else.
The effects were felt immediately. According to a study by Stanford University economist Thomas Dee, there was a 22% increase in school absences in California's Central Valley following the immigration raids in January and February of this year, compared to the previous two school years.
Educators in various states report that many students have stopped attending classes due to fear of being detained or witnessing their family members being arrested.
A teacher in Texas reported that enrollment in her English as a Second Language class has dropped dramatically.
In California, a speech therapist noted that immigrant parents refuse to enroll their children in special education out of fear of sharing more information with the school.
El País reported, having also obtained the legal documents, that schools in several counties in the U.S. have started to implement protocols to restrict the access of immigration agents without a court order and to protect the data of their students.
Additionally, he noted that at least a dozen universities in Florida have signed cooperation agreements with ICE, which has raised concerns among immigrant families.
Since his return to the White House, Trump eliminated the federal policy that protected schools and churches from ICE operations.
Instead, the DHS urged agents to use "common sense" and asserted that criminals would no longer be able to "hide in schools and churches to avoid arrest."
The unions assert that this decision violates the Administrative Procedure Law and constitutional rights to religious freedom, creating a climate of fear in protected spaces.
Church leaders with immigrant congregations also joined the lawsuit after reporting a decline in Mass attendance due to fears of arrests in the churches.
Becky Pringle, president of the NEA, said that “the Trump administration is creating fear and chaos, and our students, schools, and communities are paying the price.”
For her part, Randi Weingarten, president of the AFT, stated that "classrooms must be safe and welcoming places for learning and discovery."
The federal government has denied that ICE is conducting mass raids in schools. According to DHS Under Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, “ICE does not go to schools to arrest minors,” and she pointed out that the media would be creating “a climate of fear.”
He stated, however, that agents could take action if they believe there is a public threat, such as a dangerous criminal hiding in a school.
The context has raised alarms in educational communities, where thousands of teachers, parents, and students feel trapped between the obligation to attend classes and the constant fear of detention.
According to data from FWD.us quoted by El País, in 2021 there were over 620,000 undocumented students in primary and secondary schools in the U.S., and 3.9 million citizen students with at least one parent without legal status.
For the suing unions, what is most concerning is that one of the pillars of the educational system is being weakened: trust.
"Even if just one child stops going to school out of fear, that is already too much," summarized one of the signing educators.
Frequently asked questions about Trump’s immigration policy and its impact on Florida schools
Why are schools in Florida no longer a safe place for immigrant students?
Schools in Florida, and generally in the United States, have ceased to be seen as safe places for immigrant students due to the elimination of policies that protected against immigration raids. The Trump administration allowed immigration arrests in schools, which has generated fear and anxiety among students and families, as well as an increase in school dropout rates.
Which organizations have taken legal action against these raids in schools?
The two main teacher unions in the United States, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. They argue that the elimination of the policy that protected schools from immigration raids violates the law and the constitutional rights of students and families.
How does Trump's immigration policy affect immigrant families in Florida?
Trump's immigration policy has created a climate of fear among immigrant families in Florida. Many families choose not to send their children to school out of fear of being detained, resulting in a decrease in school enrollment and impacting access to education for thousands of undocumented students and citizens with parents in irregular situations.
What measures are communities taking to protect students from immigration raids?
Local communities and organizations in Florida are implementing protocols to limit the access of immigration agents to schools without a court order, and are protecting student data. Additionally, they advise families to prepare legal documents such as guardianships and power of attorney to prevent family separation in the event of detentions.
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