As a parent, I believe no child should have to choose between their education and their family’s safety.

But in California that’s exactly what’s happening.

New research from Stanford University confirms what educators and parents have long feared: immigration raids are causing students to stay home from school in large numbers.

In some districts, attendance dropped by 22% after enforcement actions, especially in communities with high numbers of farmworker and immigrant families.

These absences hurt learning, threaten mental health, reduce school funding, and push teachers to adjust instruction for students who fall behind. Some children may never come back.

We are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Education to issue clear, statewide guidance and resources that treat immigration enforcement disruptions like natural disasters, triggering emergency support for schools

Help schools to provide counseling, outreach, and virtual learning tools for students affected by raids
Issue formal direction to school districts on responding to family fears while encouraging attendance
Help schools avoid funding losses tied to raid-related absences.
 

Public schools don’t ask about immigration status—and they shouldn’t have to defend their doors from fear. But when federal action disrupts entire communities, California must act to protect access to education for every student.

Photo: NYT