Immigrant families take children out of New York schools for fear of raids

• Children Removed from Schools
• Immigrant Families Take Action
• Fears Amid Trump-Imposed Raids

The fear of immigration raids has led many immigrant families in New York to decide not to send their children to school, fearing they will be arrested on the way.

The situation intensified following recent raids led by the Trump Administration, which have created a climate of insecurity in vulnerable communities.

This feeling is especially reflected in shelters housing immigrant families, where the fear of being deported dominates daily conversations.

Last Monday, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, personally led a raid in the Bronx.

Immigrant Families Take Action in Response to Raids and Remove Their Children from Schools

This resulted in the detention of a man accused of serious crimes, such as kidnapping and robbery.

Noem justified the raids on social media, labeling the detainees as «trash» and reaffirming the strict policy against undocumented immigrants.

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In neighborhoods like Manhattan and the Bronx, many mothers have decided to pull their children out of schools.

Yanira, a Venezuelan who arrived in New York three months ago, explained that her three children have not attended classes in two weeks due to fear of being detained on the way.

«They tell us they can enter schools, churches, and hospitals. We don’t know if the children will be safe,» said Yanira.

The flow of rumors about indiscriminate raids has heightened concern.

Many families fear that their immigration status, regardless of the documents they possess, exposes them to possible deportation.

On the other hand, Angelita, an Ecuadorian mother living in a shelter in Manhattan, said she also removed her son from school.

However, she had to send him back due to the difficulties of caring for a five-month-old baby.

«All the mothers here have taken their children out of school out of fear,» she asserted.

Uncertainty about the future compounds the problem.

Angelita received notice that her family must leave the shelter where they have lived for a year.

Her husband, who works as a mechanic without papers, does not earn enough to rent a place in New York.

Shelters, once full of parents and children going to school, present a different scene since Donald Trump’s rise to power.

Fear of raids in shelters has led many families to seek alternatives, such as living with relatives.

According to official data, approximately 48,000 children, mostly Latinos, have entered the New York school system since 2022.

However, the climate of terror has impacted the school attendance of children from immigrant families.

In an attempt to reassure communities, the Department of Education has distributed leaflets in English and Spanish with advice on what to do if ICE shows up at their homes.

Among the recommendations, families are advised not to open the door, remain silent, and seek legal assistance.

Mayor Eric Adams’ efforts to prevent cooperation with immigration agents have generated mistrust among immigrants due to his meetings with Tom Homan and Donald Trump.

«They tell us that schools will not allow ICE in, but we watch the news and it doesn’t seem to be the case,» said a Venezuelan mother who preferred to remain anonymous.

Fear and misinformation have led thousands of immigrant families to make drastic decisions to protect themselves.

Even at the cost of their children’s education.

In a context of uncertainty, the most vulnerable communities face a constant challenge to balance the safety and stability of their families.

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