Dive Brief:
- Seven in 10 public high school principals say increased immigration enforcement has taken a toll on the well-being of their students and families, according to data released Tuesday by the University of California Los Angeles' Institute for Democracy, Education and Access.
- As a result of fear and concern in immigrant communities, nearly two-thirds (64%) of principals reported declines in attendance and student learning, and 58% also said many parents and guardians had left the community.
- More than a third of principals (36%) said students from immigrant families have been bullied or harassed by their peers, being told, for example, to "go back home" or asked to "see [their] papers."
Dive Insight:
Immigration enforcement on or near school grounds has amplified this year under the Trump administration, which adopted a policy in January allowing apprehensions on school grounds. Since then, educators have reported negative impacts for students' mental health, attendance, and even school enrollment and budgets.
Examples range from students not eating properly because of families sheltering in their homes instead of going grocery shopping, or kids feeling compelled to carry their IDs while doing day-to-day activities.
"We have seen the negative impact of the increased ICE presence and negative rhetoric around immigrants," said a Massachusetts principal quoted in the report. "Hardworking families who have been in our community for years have been torn apart by a family member being taken from their home or on the street, ICE agents using intimidation tactics around the school. Staff getting involved in taking students home or supporting them while their family struggles."
According to Pew Research data from 2024, about 4.4 million U.S.-born minors live with an immigrant parent not authorized to live in the country. In addition, about 850,000 children under 18 were unauthorized immigrants themselves in 2022, according to the data.
In some districts, such as Los Angeles Unified School District and Chicago Public Schools, increased enforcement has led to calls from district or school board leaders for virtual schooling. Other measures taken by schools include training for staff on how to interact with federal agents, providing “know your rights” training sessions for families, and offering hotlines for legal support.
According to the UCLA report released Dec. 9:
- 78% of principals said that they have a plan for responding to federal immigration agents knocking on school doors.
- 47% reported having a school plan in case a student’s parent or guardian gets deported, and 45% provide professional development for staff on supporting students from immigrant families.
- 57% of principals said their school partnered with community-based organizations to support students from immigrant families.
- 33% said they have connected students from immigrant families with legal services.
Sometimes, support has come informally in the form of GoFundMe campaigns and networking within the community for legal services, said the report, which was based on the responses of 606 principals collected between June and August 2025.
"The high school principals in our study feel a professional and moral obligation to meet
the needs of the moment," the authors wrote. "And yet, many principals expressed concern that their ability to advance the essential work of public education is being undercut by political forces beyond their control."
