Immigration Enforcement in Schools: Impacts on Students, Families, and Educators

This report by immigration scholar Sophia Rodriguez, PhD, in partnership with the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), looks at how increased ICE activity near public schools affects students, staff, and families. It describes a culture of fear, serious stress for students at risk of family separation, and a "chilling effect" that can lower attendance and enrollment. It also highlights steps schools and communities can take, such as safety protocols for arrival and dismissal, expanded legal aid, and treating schools as protected spaces.