A national report from a university research institute found that federal immigration enforcement has made many high school students and families afraid. The report says fear affects students, staff and how schools work.
Researchers surveyed public high school principals in the summer of 2025 and later did interviews. Principals reported that immigrant students miss school because they are scared, and some students are bullied with hurtful comments like “Can I see your papers?” and “Go back home.”
Many schools are making safety plans and trying to support families under pressure.
Difficult words
- enforcement — action to make people follow a law
- principal — head teacher of a schoolprincipals
- survey — a set of questions to collect informationsurveyed
- bully — to hurt or scare someone on purposebullied
- safety plan — a written plan to keep people safesafety plans
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What can schools do to make students feel safer?
- Have you seen or heard hurtful comments at school? How did people react?
- How can families and schools work together to support students under pressure?
Related articles
Indigenous leader Dzoodzo Baniwa wins climate award
Dzoodzo Baniwa, from the Alto Río Negro territory in Amazonas, won a Bunge Foundation award for work on the climate emergency and practical agricultural science solutions. The prize highlights links between indigenous knowledge and scientific practice.
