The claims on this site are grounded in peer-reviewed research, government surveys, and published reports. The key sources are organized below by topic.
A 2025 Stanford study using attendance data from five California school districts found that recent immigration raids caused a 22% increase in daily student absences, with especially large effects among younger students.
A Stanford working paper on local ICE enforcement partnerships found that they reduced Hispanic student enrollment by nearly 10% within two years, with the largest effects among elementary-age students.
A national survey of public high school principals found that 63.8% said students from immigrant families had missed school due to immigration-related fear or rhetoric, 70.4% reported heightened student worry about family safety, 35.6% reported immigration-related bullying, and 77.6% had created a response plan for visits from federal agents.
Research from the Urban Institute has documented that approximately 5 million children in the United States live with at least one undocumented family member, illustrating the scale of communities affected by immigration enforcement policy.
The American Immigration Council documents that more than 16.7 million people share a home with at least one undocumented family member, including 6.1 million U.S.-citizen children under 18. When enforcement activity increases, these children face real pressure to stay home from school.
Research on California school districts that adopted safe-zone policies found protective effects for academic outcomes, graduation rates, and school climate for students from immigrant families compared to similar districts without those policies.
Surveys of school administrators consistently show majority support for clear immigration-enforcement procedures, with more than 80% saying such procedures help reassure families and maintain school attendance.
The American Civil Liberties Union provides comprehensive know-your-rights guides for immigrants and for encounters with law enforcement, including what to do if ICE comes to your home, school, or workplace.
Legal guidance for school administrators covering staff anxiety about potential ICE visits, student records and FERPA protections, the distinction between administrative and judicial warrants, and school admission rights under Plyler v. Doe.
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center provides practical tools including "Red Cards" that explain legal rights in encounters with immigration officers, as well as policy guidance for institutions.
The National Immigration Law Center provides legal analysis and policy advocacy on immigration enforcement, including guidance on school policies and student rights.
Education Providers and Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights & Your Students' Rights — covers FERPA protections, what schools can and cannot do when ICE arrives, and steps schools can take to support affected families.
The U.S. Supreme Court held in Plyler v. Doe that states cannot deny children access to public education based on immigration status. All children have a constitutional right to public schooling regardless of documentation.
Reporting on ICE presence near Minnesota schools, including how community members organized to monitor routes and help students arrive safely.
Practical toolkit covering how schools can create safe, supportive environments for immigrant and English learner students, including warrant policies, staff training, and student privacy protections.
Guidance from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center on school lockdown procedures, legal distinctions between judicial and administrative warrants, and what schools can do to limit access.
NEA coverage of how immigration enforcement affects students and what educators can do, including Know Your Rights training and emergency response planning.
Reporting on Los Angeles schools increasing safety staff and establishing safety perimeters at graduation ceremonies in response to ICE activity.
Research-based guidance on the psychological impact of immigration enforcement on children and practical steps schools and families can take, including emergency plans and backup guardian arrangements.
A practical playbook for school leaders covering Know-Your-Rights training, community partnerships, rapid family communication systems, and age-appropriate messaging for students and families during immigration enforcement activity.
The Intercultural Development Research Association outlines ten concrete strategies schools can use to support children affected by immigration enforcement, including limiting police presence and protecting student records.
The Supreme Court affirmed in Tinker v. Des Moines that students do not "shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate." Students retain First Amendment speech protections in schools, subject to limitations that prevent substantial disruption.
Several national organizations track policy changes, support school leaders, and provide advocacy tools for communities working to advance protective school environments.
Photographs used on this site are sourced from Unsplash under the Unsplash License. View image attributions →
Research consistently shows that clear school procedures reduce fear, support attendance, and help schools stay focused on education.