When ICE vans begin circling neighborhoods, it doesn’t just harm families—it erodes the foundation of our schools. Students can’t learn when they’re afraid. Teachers can’t teach when they’re unsure how to help. And schools can’t thrive if families feel invisible or unsafe.

As the nation watches Los Angeles and other communities respond to the trauma of ICE raids and the resulting protests, I am reminded of the foundational truth that guides our work at Parent Teacher Home Visits: relationships are the bedrock of student success. That’s especially true for immigrant families.

The Lasting Effects of Immigration Raids on Students and Their Families

Immigration enforcement deeply disrupts public education. In Los Angeles and across the country, fear and uncertainty ripple through immigrant communities. Students arrive at school carrying the weight of anxiety—wondering if a parent or another loved one will be there when they return home. This fear often shows up as emotional distress, self-harm, declining grades, or chronic absenteeism.  The pervasive climate of fear also extends its impact to non-immigrant students, disrupting the overall learning environment within schools.

Educators feel this tension too, often unsure how best to support their students while navigating their own emotional responses. Teachers and school leaders are often called to be more than educators—they become anchors of stability and hope, advocates, and crisis managers, contributing to growing burnout.

ICE raids, especially ones with the magnitude and vitriol like we’re witnessing in Los Angeles, jeopardize years of effort invested in building safe, welcoming learning environments. Schools that have worked hard to create safe, welcoming spaces risk becoming places of silence and suspicion.

Recent research from the Urban Institute underscores the deep and lasting impact of shifting immigration policies on communities. These policies increase trauma, anxiety, and economic hardship, disrupting not only education but also housing stability and access to essential services. The report warns that such enforcement actions exacerbate inequalities and create barriers to well-being, calling for comprehensive support systems in schools and communities—including trauma-informed care, legal assistance, and robust family engagement.

The Power of Connection: Lessons from Missy Testerman

At Parent Teacher Home Visits, we know that building strong relationships is the most powerful antidote to fear and disconnection. This conviction was beautifully affirmed in a recent episode of the PTHV Podcast, where I had the privilege of speaking with Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year. Missy’s message is clear: family engagement isn’t just a teaching strategy—it’s about human connection. She shared stories of overcoming language barriers, building trust through small acts of outreach, and celebrating successes with families who may have once felt isolated or unwelcome.

You can’t teach kids you don’t know. And you can’t know their stories unless you meet them where they are. We think you should meet them in their home, or at least in places that change the perceived power dynamics families might feel in school. Missy’s approach reminds us that when educators reach out—whether through home visits, informal gatherings, or simply ensuring families receive information in their home language—they build bridges that help students thrive. As Missy said, “When parents feel like you’re on the same side they are, which should always be the kids’ side, it makes working together easier.”

What Schools Can Do Right Now

In this moment of fear and uncertainty, schools have a critical role to play in supporting and uplifting immigrant families. Here are actionable steps highlighted in recent guidance from the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), rooted in both research and compassion:

• Provide trauma-informed care: Train staff to recognize and respond to signs of trauma and stress in students.

• Offer counseling and safe spaces: Ensure access to mental health support and create welcoming spaces where students and families can seek support if a parent is detained.

• Appoint bilingual liaisons: Help families communicate effectively, and connect them with trusted staff or community partners.

• Affirm your school as a safe space: Publicly commit to protecting all students, regardless of immigration status, and ensure staff know how to respond to ICE requests.

• Partner with community organizations: Collaborate with local groups that offer legal, housing, and mental health resources.

• Avoid unnecessary law enforcement presence: Limit police involvement that could trigger further trauma or ICE intervention.

• Educate families on their rights: Share multilingual resources about what to do if approached by immigration authorities.

At Parent Teacher Home Visits, we have seen time and again that intentional outreach transforms not just individual students, but entire school communities. We must remember that every family engagement effort is an investment in our collective future. When we show up for each other—especially in times of crisis—we affirm the dignity and worth of every child and family.

This June, we mark Immigrant Heritage Month—a time meant to honor the resilience, dreams, and contributions of immigrants who have shaped the very fabric of our nation. Yet, how profound and painful the contradiction: while cities across America celebrate “Generations of Strength” and the promise that “You Belong,” families in Los Angeles and beyond are living in fear, uncertainty, and disruption. This moment, meant for celebration, is overshadowed by policies that threaten the very communities we seek to uplift. It is a stark reminder that our commitment to immigrant families must be more than symbolic; it must be lived and fiercely defended.

We can’t wait for policy to catch up with compassion. In addition to the steps above, one powerful thing schools can do today is listen.  Create listening circles for students and families to express themselves. Make space for their stories, their fears, and their hopes. Fear isolates, and listening heals.

There are no shortcuts through this moment. But there is a path forward

Let’s build bridges, not barriers. Let’s ensure that every student—no matter their background—feels seen, supported, safe, and celebrated.

Andrea Prejean is Executive Director of Parent Teacher Home Visits.