Teachers Describe Immigration Enforcement's Impact on Classrooms

Educators share how Trump administration policy has disrupted schools and student lives

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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In a court filing, teachers around the country detailed how President Trump's immigration crackdown has impacted their work and the lives of their students. Educators described rumors of immigration raids that scared away students, immigrant parents who stopped sending their children to school, and incidents of parents and students being detained by ICE at school bus stops. The stories were shared as part of a lawsuit challenging a Trump administration policy that opened up schools, places of worship, and medical facilities to immigration enforcement.

Why it matters

The lawsuit argues that the Trump administration's policy of allowing immigration enforcement at 'protected areas' like schools has had a chilling effect, with students and families too afraid to attend school. Educators say this has disrupted learning and access to essential services.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by farmworker and teacher unions, churches, and preschool educators in federal court in Eugene, Oregon. They argue the policy is 'arbitrary and capricious.' The Department of Homeland Security previously barred immigration arrests at schools and other 'protected areas,' but the Trump administration rescinded that policy. Now, there have been several instances of ICE pursuing or detaining people near school property, including an incident where agents released tear gas near a school playground in Chicago.

  • In recent months, immigration enforcement has escalated around schools and other community institutions.
  • Shortly after Trump took office, his administration rescinded the policy barring immigration arrests at 'protected areas'.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president whose immigration crackdown policies are the focus of the lawsuit.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that previously barred immigration arrests at schools and other 'protected areas,' but later rescinded that policy under the Trump administration.

Kathryn Anderson

The Chelsea, Massachusetts teachers union president who says immigration enforcement has been more disruptive to learning than the COVID-19 pandemic.

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What they’re saying

“Right now, kids of all backgrounds are being prevented from going to school because of the extremely real fear that either they or their family members will be separated.”

— Kathryn Anderson, Chelsea, Massachusetts teachers union president (ksgf.com)

“As an educator … having to help kids move through and exist in that fear (has) been a near impossible task.”

— Kathryn Anderson, Chelsea, Massachusetts teachers union president (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to halt the Trump administration policy as the lawsuit proceeds.

The takeaway

This case highlights the significant disruption that the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies have caused in schools, with educators struggling to support students and families living in constant fear of deportation.