Some schools in the U.S. are preparing to respond to possible threats of student deportations ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office.
Preparations
Educators nationwide are preparing for potential disruption as the incoming administration signals plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Even without immediate action, the rhetoric alone could deeply affect children of immigrants, experts and educators warn.
Almudena Abeyta, the superintendent of Chelsea Public Schools in Boston, told The Associated Press (AP): "The kids are still coming to school, but they're scared."
"They're asking: 'Are we going to be deported?'" Abeyta said.
In Abeyta's district, many parents come from countries where schools are operated by the federal government, leading to misconceptions about the U.S. system. Following the election, Abeyta sent a letter to families, reassuring them that their children remain welcome and safe, regardless of who holds the presidency.
Concerns Over Trump Presidency
U.S. immigration officials have long refrained from making arrests at schools, operating under a 2011 policy designating "sensitive locations," such as schools, hospitals and places of worship, as off-limits for enforcement actions. In a 2021 policy update, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized that such actions could deter access to vital services.
The Heritage Foundation's policy blueprint known as Project 2025 includes a proposal to revoke the "sensitive places" policy. While Trump distanced himself from the plan during his campaign, he has tapped several contributors for key roles in his prospective administration, including naming Tom Homan as "border czar."
An arrest of a parent at a school drop-off could trigger widespread panic, warned Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles.
"If something happens at one school, it spreads like wildfire and kids stop coming to school," Salas said to the AP.
Gustavo Balderas, superintendent in Beaverton, a suburb of Portland, advised the school committee this month to prepare for a more aggressive approach from a potential Trump administration. As a precaution, the district plans to train staff to deny immigration agents entry to school grounds.
"All bets are off with Trump," Balderas, who also serves as the the President of The School Superintendents Association, said to the AP. "If something happens, I feel like it will happen a lot quicker than last time."
Many school officials remain hesitant to discuss their concerns or strategies, wary of putting their immigrant students under additional scrutiny. At a Midwestern school serving children from Mexican and Central American immigrant families, administrators have enlisted immigration attorneys to assist parents in preparing care plans for their children in the event of deportation. The administrator, who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak publicly, described the initiative as a proactive measure.
Over the past two years, Denver has provided assistance to more than 40,000 migrants, offering shelter or transportation to other destinations. The city borders Aurora, one of two locations Trump has identified as potential starting points for his proposed mass deportation efforts.
When contacted by The Associated Press, Scott Pribble, a spokesperson for Denver Public Schools, said: "Denver Public Schools is monitoring the situation while we continue to serve, support, and protect all of our students as we always have."
The policies are grounded in the belief that students cannot focus on learning if they fear immigration agents might detain them or their parents while on campus. School districts also emphasize that these measures uphold students' constitutional right to a free public education, regardless of their immigration status.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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