Immigrant children in Washington schools are feeling the impact of increased police presence
In the heart of northwest Washington, the quiet neighborhood of Mount Pleasant has seen a significant change. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have become a common sight, resulting in several arrests and causing a wave of fear among residents, particularly those from immigrant communities.
This fear has taken a toll on children, with some missing school due to the absence of their parents or their own fear of the situation. Schools serving large immigrant communities have seen a drop in attendance. Volunteers have stepped up to help, organizing "walking buses" to accompany groups of children from apartment buildings to schools.
The immigration crackdown has been a source of concern for many families. A 40-year-old mother from Guatemala, who has lived in the U.S. illegally for over a decade, has not seen her husband since he was deported after being pulled over by local police. Her three children, all born in Washington, are now left to sleep in her bed, waking in the middle of the night crying.
The mother is too afraid to take her children to their charter school due to the fear of being targeted by immigration authorities. Research has linked immigration raids near schools to lower academic outcomes for Latino students. The older two children attend the local charter school, and the mother fears for their future. Her eldest son dreamt of becoming a doctor, and her middle child wanted to be a police officer, but she believes the "American dream" is gone for them.
The country's largest teachers unions have filed a lawsuit over the immigration crackdown, stating that fear stirred by arrests near campuses has led some children to drop out of school. The Department of Homeland Security has rescinded a memo that barred officers from entering schools and churches without a supervisor's approval. However, Homeland Security officials have stated that ICE agents have not entered schools to make arrests.
Across the United States, in 2023, there were 4.6 million U.S.-born children living with a parent who did not have authorization to be in the country, according to the Pew Research Center. Another 1.5 million children were without legal permission themselves.
The immigration crackdown has also led to a rise in fear among children, with some growing deeply afraid of police. The Navy's former second-in-command has recently been sentenced to 6 years for a bribery plot, adding to the unease.
In a surprising turn of events, the organization representing the 40-year-old mother of three living illegally in the USA, whose legal opinion allowed ICE agents to enter schools and churches without supervisor consent, remains unidentified in the provided search results.
Despite these challenges, communities in Washington continue to rally together, supporting each other and ensuring children get to school safely. The mother is contemplating returning to her home country due to fear of deportation and the inability to work without child care, but for now, she continues to fight for her family's future in the U.S.
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