ICE raids trigger school absenteeism and traumatize children: They have been forced to leave their childhood behind'

"The first thing they did was stop going to class. Fear of being arrested if they left home had spread. ICE took the upstairs neighbor of one of my students and the downstairs neighbor, too. After that, they came for one day and never again, says a teacher at a high school in Washington, D.C. This happened back in September."

"At the beginning of the year, several students came up and asked me if they were going to be deported, showing me videos on their phones. They know that, if they go out on the street, it could happen. They're very afraid, Vincent Kirk explains to EL PAIS. He teaches English and American literature to teenagers at a high school in Los Angeles."

ICE arrests and deportations of neighbors, parents, and guardians have prompted many students to stop attending school out of fear of being arrested. Several students left school to work after family members were deported. Teachers have organized fundraisers and food drives to prevent dropouts and support affected students. Many students continue attending but struggle to concentrate, dread encountering police at school gates, and fear for friends and family. Children have assumed caregiving and economic responsibilities, such as caring for siblings, grocery shopping, and working. Psychologists, parents, and educators warn of long-term trauma and educational setbacks that will require study and intervention.

Read at english.elpais.com