Washington, DC — At an America’s Voice virtual press conference held last Thursday, educators, child psychologists, and immigration experts discussed how the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda is harming not just immigrant children but is instilling fear in all students, teachers and parents this back-to-school season.
As coverage in the American Community Media network, “‘Education Chaos and Psychological Scarring’ — The Hidden Cost of Trump’s Deportation Agenda” noted:
“‘This back-to-school season, children are facing the terror of wondering if their parents will be there to pick them up,’ said America’s Voice Executive Director Vanessa Cardenas during an August 28 virtual briefing. ‘The usual first day jitters have been replaced by fear.’ … A Stanford study released in June found that in California’s Central Valley a precipitous 22% drop in school attendance followed in the wake of raids in the area earlier this year. Other studies have shown similar results. Researchers warn that absenteeism across the state could climb as the raids continue.”
Also read relevant coverage of the virtual event in such outlets as La Opinión, “Escuelas en alerta por ICE ante retorno a clases” and Univision North Carolina: ¿Cómo las deportaciones y políticas de inmigración de Trump afecta la salud emocional de los niños?,” and the Davis, CA Vanguard News, “Mass Deportation Agenda Creates Toxic Climate for Immigrant Children and Schools.”
During the virtual event, Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) said, “Schools must always be safe havens for learning, free from fear or disruption. Immigration enforcement activities have no place on or around our campuses, as they create an atmosphere of anxiety that harms every student, regardless of background.”
Dr. Allison Bassett Ratto, PhD, Child Clinical Psychologist in Washington, D.C. said, “What is particularly worrisome to me as a child psychologist is that the stress, the anxiety and the trauma that develop in this climate of fear and uncertainty around immigration enforcement can become chronic, leading to both immediate and long term damage to children’s mental and physical health.”
Noel Candelaria, Secretary-Treasurer, National Education Association (NEA) said, All students deserve to start the new school year knowing they belong, are welcomed, and feel safe in our public schools – no matter the language they speak or their ZIP code. No one – not Trump or ICE – should have the power to weaponize our government against our most vulnerable.”
Fedrick Ingram, Secretary-Treasurer, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) said, At the beginning of school, our students should be thinking about the curriculum, how they learn, and how they’re going to navigate the year. Unfortunately, too many are traumatized—seeing police, masked assailants, kidnappings, and people disappeared on the street—and then asked to go to school and do work on top of that. As educators, we know that is not good for our kids, our communities, or our families.”
Key Resources Shared During Last Week’s Virtual Event
- Access a recording of today’s virtual press event: HERE
- Read NEA guidance on immigration issues HERE
- Visit the LAUSD We Are One website: https://www.lausd.org/weareone
- See here a breakdown of how the Trump administration’s mass deportation budget could be used to improve schools nationwide:
- Instead of mass deportation, that same $170 billion could support public education across America:
- Build over 7,000 new elementary schools in communities nationwide
- Ensure kids can succeed in school and life by funding the Head Start program for nearly 14 years
- Give over 3 million teachers who spend their own money on supplies an $800 annual classroom fund
- Buy school supplies for over 45 million K-12 students for 4 years
- Fund a $10,000 annual federal tax credit for all 4 million teachers for over 4 years
- Instead of mass deportation, that same $170 billion could support public education across America:
