The start of the new school year in the US is overshadowed by a significant crisis: widespread absenteeism among immigrant children. A chilling fear of immigration raids is keeping many families from sending their kids to school.

The recent rollback of protections designating schools as “sensitive locations” has fueled this anxiety. Parents, understandably terrified of deportation, are choosing to keep their children home, leading to a sharp increase in absences.

Experts are sounding the alarm, highlighting the devastating consequences. This absence from school exacerbates the already significant educational, emotional, and economic disparities that were worsened by the pandemic. The long-term impact on these children’s futures is deeply concerning.

The situation underscores the urgent need for policies that support immigrant families and ensure all children have access to education, regardless of their immigration status. The current climate of fear is preventing countless children from receiving the education they deserve, perpetuating a cycle of inequality.