Urban Institute: Impacts of Heightened Immigration Enforcement on Children’s Education by Hamutal Bernstein, Diana Guelespe, Laura Betancur, Julio Salas
New from the Urban Institute: Impacts of Heightened Immigration Enforcement on Children’s Education by Hamutal Bernstein, Diana Guelespe, Laura Betancur, Julio Salas
"The study’s key findings are as follows:
- -- Nearly half of parents reported that their children had expressed concern about going to school because of the threat of enforcement, perceiving risks to both their parents and themselves, even as US citizens.
- -- Nearly half of parents reported that their children had stayed home from school for at least a few days because of concerns about immigration enforcement activity.
- -- Over half of parents reported concerns about sending their children to school or accompanying them to school because of the risk of either a child or parent encountering ICE on the way. Nearly half of parents changed school transportation routines to reduce their families’ exposure to enforcement risk.
- -- Over half of parents described the psychological strain of the enforcement environment affecting their children’s academic performance.
- -- Nearly all parents reported reducing their own time in public spaces. Many also reported not taking or allowing their children to go to parks or participate in after-school activities or sports.
- -- Parents in Chicago were more likely than those in Charlotte to describe their children’s schools having some kind of supportive strategy, from information sharing to help with transportation and counseling.
- -- Parents recommended that schools strengthen communication to address their concerns and share available supports, help families navigate transportation challenges and offer remote learning when they cannot safely travel, provide emotional support and counseling services, and ensure a more consistent response across schools."
