Since President Trump’s inauguration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now allowed to invade schools and make arrests. For decades, schools have been off limits for immigration enforcement, and the decision to legalize it threatens the safe and nurturing environment that schools are meant to provide.
No student should have to witness ICE invade their school No student should be scared to go to school with a fear of being taken from their home. This policy is especially traumatizing for younger students, such as those in elementary schools . Younger students are more susceptible to emotional distress, and this new policy only amplifies their vulnerabilities.
“School should be a safe space and place of learning,” said senior Carter Gentry. “Young kids shouldn’t have to be scared of going to school because of this new policy.”
Students in immigrant communities already face challenges such as language barriers and adapting to a new culture. The additional fear of losing their family and home will only worsen their mental and emotional well-being, distracting them from their education.
“My family and I moved to America from Dubai a couple years ago,” said senior Gia Dionisio. “I can’t imagine what it would be like coming home from school and my little sister not being there.”
With a fear of attending school, student attendance has already drop significantly due to these raids. Parents, terrified of potential raids, choose to keep their children at home which further damages their education.
“I’m absolutely terrified of sending my kids to school with everything going on,” said Mira Costa parent Veronica Randeniya. “I feel terrible for all the families that have lost their homes and have been separated because of this new law.”
This new policy allowing ICE to invade schools is fostering a generation of students that will forever associate school with trauma rather than education. The legalization of this policy was a cruel act that children who should never have to worry about losing their families or homes in the middle of a school day.
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