K12 Schools are Educating Teachers on How to Shield Students Ahead of Trump's Deportation Promises

K-12 schools across the United States are bracing for potential changes under the incoming Trump administration, which has pledged aggressive deportation efforts once it assumes on January 20.

Educators and administrators are focusing on safeguarding undocumented students and their families by reinforcing privacy rights, building trust, and providing resources. These measures aim to address fears that deportation policies could disrupt education and well-being, as reported by The Hill.

Federal law protects undocumented students' privacy, ensuring that schools cannot disclose immigration status without a legal warrant or parental consent. School officials nationwide are being trained to respond to potential scenarios involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. This includes understanding their legal obligations and maintaining the confidentiality of student records.

The report explains that the Los Angeles Unified School District has implemented training for staff to prepare for potential ICE actions. Similarly, sanctuary states like California have taken steps to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

In New York City, public schools are also reaffirming policies to protect immigrant families, according to The New York Times. A recent memo from the city's Department of Education reminded school principals of procedures if ICE agents arrive, as principals are instructed to contact legal counsel, deny entry unless legally required, and ensure student information remains confidential.

As The Hill also points out, hundreds of thousands of undocumented students attend public schools across the U.S., and many more are U.S. citizens with undocumented parents who could find themselves lacking a guardian or in legal limbo if Trump follows through with his promises.

The Latin Times reached out to Danielle De La Fuente, founder and CEO of Amal Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering displaced and disenfranchised children through innovative educational programs. According to De La Fuente:

"The psychological toll of deportation threats on immigrant families and children is devastating. For children, the constant fear of losing a parent or being uprooted creates chronic stress, impacting their ability to focus, feel secure, and build relationships. Parents carry the burden of shielding their kids while managing their own fears, which affects the entire household."

Mental Health Expert Natalie Rosado echoed De La Fuente's sentiment when providing comment to The Latin Times, emphasizing that the fear around deportations in school districts can affect entire communities:

"Because deportation threats brings and increased fear of immigration enforcement, we are seeing increased rates of anxiety, depression, acute trauma, and other psychological distress. Unfortunately this is occurring not only among the undocumented immigrant population but also those who are US citizens of Hispanic and Latino descent. This widespread of fear not only leads to short-term acute distress but also can have long lasting impact on generations to come"

Rosado also points out that children can also suffer by simply "witnessing their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles undergo such distress."