As immigration enforcement increases across the country and protections such as Temporary Protected Status end for some countries, many immigrant families are living with fear and uncertainty. That fear is affecting whether some children make it to school.
Recent data show that 17% of parents cited ICE activity near schools as a barrier to attendance. And that is not just an abstract data point; it is lived every single day. Last year, more than 2,000 students were absent from Framingham Public Schools on a single day. Across Massachusetts, enrollment dropped by approximately 14,000 students, especially among English language learners. Communities including Everett, Revere, Leominster, Methuen, and Chelsea experienced some of the largest declines. Some school district leaders have attributed recent enrollment drops to the climate of fear by escalating immigration enforcement.
Behind those numbers are families making incredibly difficult decisions. Immigrant parents want what every parent wants: for their children to be safe, receive a good quality education, and to have opportunities they may have never had themselves. No parent should have to choose between their child’s education and fear of immigration enforcement.
As students return to school, families should know about new protections under Massachusetts’ PROTECT Act. The law generally prohibits civil immigration arrests on school grounds during operating hours or during after-school activities without a judicial warrant or judicial order.
Families should stay connected with their child’s school and ask what resources may be available if immigration-related fears are affecting attendance, transportation, drop-off, or pickup.
