WASHINGTON (AP) — The last time she saw her husband, the father of her three children, was when he left their Washington apartment a month ago to buy milk and diapers. Now, she has been too afraid to take her sons to their nearby charter school, and her husband has been deported. This 40-year-old immigrant from Guatemala spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of immigration authorities.
Her older two children, born in Washington, have been impacted significantly by their father’s absence. One of the boys missed three days of school, distressed by the situation. As schools reopened amid a resurgence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, communities are gripped with fear.
Impact on Children
Teachers and community leaders are voicing concerns about the effects of such crackdowns on children. Ben Williams, a high school teacher and member of the District of Columbia State Board of Education, noted that the fear among children regarding potential deportations is palpable, affecting their day-to-day lives and safety feeling.
In neighborhoods with significant immigrant populations, like Mount Pleasant, federal agents have caused unrest. Residents have documented several arrests, leading to an increased psychological burden on families.
Raul Cortez from El Salvador spoke about his 7-year-old son’s deepening fear of police due to a growing understanding of the dangers surrounding immigration enforcement.
Efforts to Maintain School Attendance
Many parents are afraid to send their children to school, leading community volunteers to organize 'walking buses'. These walking buses provide a form of safety by escorting children to school in groups, trying to mitigate the fear and anxiety caused by the federal presence in their neighborhoods.
Consequence of Crackdowns
Research highlights a connection between immigration raids near schools and lower academic performance for Latino students. This trend is evident as districts across the country report drops in school attendance following such crackdowns. In January 2023, following Trump's orders to increase ICE operations, many families chose to keep their children home, fearing for their safety.
With children often feeling the brunt of this anxiety, the long-term implications for their education and emotional well-being are concerning. Children whose parents face the threat of deportation may struggle with increased stress and fear, impacting their focus and performance at school.
The cumulative effect of this atmosphere of fear could potentially ruin the educational aspirations of a generation of children whose parents are caught in the immigration crosshairs. For families like the one from Guatemala, the 'American dream' of providing a better future appears more than just fragile; it feels utterly unreachable.
