(NEW YORK CITY) The Trump administration’s 2025 immigration push has spilled into classrooms, with ICE raids and arrests linked to a sharp rise in student trauma, absenteeism, and fear across major school districts. Psychiatric researchers and education experts reported in August 2025 that anxiety and depression are climbing among immigrant youth after the White House revoked past limits on enforcement near schools. Videos of ICE operations shared by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and across social media have intensified worries, with students describing sleepless nights and panic about the school day ahead.
The policy shift is clear: on January 20, 2025, the administration revoked the 2011–2025 “sensitive locations” policy, which had kept schools, churches, and hospitals off-limits for routine enforcement. Since then, ICE is authorized to conduct arrests in educational settings, and enforcement actions have been documented in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston. In districts with many immigrant families, educators report widespread class absences the morning after ICE activity, and counselors say they now spend much of the day calming students who fear a knock at the door.
Researchers say the pattern mirrors earlier surges in enforcement. After a Tennessee workplace raid in 2018, more than 500 students missed school the next day; similar waves of absence are now reported in 2025 following local ICE raids. Some schools in affected communities have recorded up to 10% drops in Hispanic enrollment over two years, a trend seen in past programs and cited again this year. In surveys, 84% of educators in high-impact districts say they see more anxiety, absenteeism, and disengagement.
Policy shifts and enforcement footprint
President Trump’s executive orders on January 20, 2025 rescinded several Biden-era protections, prioritized aggressive enforcement, and directed agencies to seek cuts to funding for sanctuary jurisdictions while pausing refugee admissions. The administration also invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport hundreds of migrants, including some lawful permanent residents, which has amplified fear among students about parents being taken.
In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams reversed a bar on ICE arrests at Rikers Island after meetings with federal officials, signaling closer local cooperation with federal enforcement.
Secretary Noem has publicly supported the harder line, sharing footage of operations and messaging about “removing dirt bags” from cities. Supporters say these actions target criminals. School leaders and health experts counter that high-profile ICE raids, including around campuses and bus stops, can traumatize children who are not targets of any enforcement.
They warn that repeated exposure to arrests, rumors, and online videos can create toxic stress. That stress, they say, shows up as:
- Headaches and stomach pain
- Trouble focusing
- A stronger flight response (children staying home to feel safe)
At schools like ELLIS Preparatory Academy in the Bronx, principals have rallied staff to contact families, post rights information, and encourage attendance. But responses nationwide are uneven.
Some districts have spelled out what to do if ICE appears on campus—such as requiring judicial warrants and routing agents to the front office—while others have left teachers unsure, which adds to chaos when rumors spread. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, districts that adopt written protocols and standard staff training see fewer panic-driven absences after nearby ICE raids.
School responses and legal landscape
Federal law still guarantees the right to a public education for all children in the United States 🇺🇸 regardless of immigration status, a protection from the 1982 Supreme Court ruling Plyler v. Doe. That right has not changed.
But legal challenges and state-level policy shifts are testing how far schools can go in shielding student data and controlling access to campuses. Some of President Trump’s executive actions face legal challenges; parts are temporarily paused, while others continue, leaving families unsure from week to week.
Districts that have moved quickly have focused on three areas:
- Clear campus protocols
- Require a judicial warrant for enforcement entry
- Direct agents to the main office
- Instruct staff not to collect or share immigration status information unless required by law
- Staff training and family outreach
- Teachers, nurses, and counselors receive step-by-step guides
- Information posted on bulletin boards and shared via messaging apps
- “Know Your Rights” education
- Plain-language materials distributed to families
- Connections to legal aid and counseling, with interpreters available
Health experts say these steps help, but cannot erase the harm caused by uncertainty and fear. Repeated absenteeism erodes learning, especially for English learners.
- Some teens delay capstone projects or graduation rehearsals because they worry about an arrest on the way to school.
- Younger children react with clinginess or sudden silence in class.
- If a parent is detained or deported, the shock can lead to long stretches of absence, unstable housing, and long-term depression.
Legal analysts warn that colleges and universities face new reporting pressure as well, including monitoring that could affect international students and staff. While details vary by agency guidance, advocates urge schools to document their policies and coordinate with counsel.
Education policy experts argue that simple, uniform checklists—covering who speaks to agents, where students go, and what to do—can lower panic during any enforcement contact.
Immediate steps for families and schools
Follow practical measures to protect students’ well-being and keep learning on track:
- Keep students in class. Absenteeism harms grades and increases stress. Ask the school for a trusted adult contact each day.
- Ask for written campus protocols. Families should know whether the district requires judicial warrants and how any officer visit is handled.
- Share only what’s needed. Schools generally do not need immigration status to enroll a child. If asked, request the legal basis for any data request.
- Build a family safety plan. Include emergency contacts, childcare backups, and important documents. Share the plan with the school counselor if comfortable.
- Use official updates. For federal policy and enforcement information, check the Department of Homeland Security at https://www.dhs.gov for reliable notices.
- Seek legal help. Local nonprofits and district partners can connect families to attorneys; school counselors can point to mental health support.
What schools can do day-to-day
District leaders, caught between federal enforcement and the duty to educate every child, are trying to set calm routines to reduce fear and disruption:
- Greet each student by name and keep regular attendance rhythms.
- Maintain a private space for counseling and quick de-escalation.
- Post information about rights in the main languages families speak.
- Implement and rehearse clear checklists so staff know who interacts with agents and how students are sheltered.
Advocacy groups and some state officials are pushing to restore protections for schools and expand trauma support, while courts weigh challenges to parts of the 2025 orders.
The bottom line from researchers: when ICE raids become part of everyday chatter, student trauma rises and learning falls. Schools cannot control federal policy, but they can control their response. Clear protocols, steady communication, and a warm welcome at the door won’t solve every problem — they can, however, help a child feel safe enough to show up tomorrow.
This Article in a Nutshell
ICE enforcement returned to schools after January 20, 2025. Students report panic, sleeplessness, and absentee spikes. Educators urge judicial-warrant protocols, staff training, and Know-Your-Rights outreach to reduce trauma and restore classroom stability amid shifting federal policies and legal uncertainty.
