It was the first day of classes, and Mayra, an elementary school teacher at a public school in northern Illinois, had a surprise for one of her students. It was his birthday, and Mayra was looking forward to celebrating in class. During class, Mayra noticed that her student was absent. The student did not come back to school, and later, Mayra found out that her student’s father was arrested, detained, and deported (personal communication, September 30, 2025).
Since the start of September 2025, federal immigration officials have flooded Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, beginning a wave of fear amongst immigrant communities and undocumented families, which they dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz” (Najarro, 2025). While immigration officials and the Trump administration had claimed that they were only seeking what they deemed as ‘dangerous criminals’, it seems that part of these ‘dangerous criminals’ included children, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has often been seen around elementary schools (Najarro, 2025). Not only have students seen federal immigration officers near their schools, some even witnessing the detainment of their own parents, but students have also told their teachers that they’d seen ICE vehicles cruising through their neighborhoods, their fear growing with each sighting (Korecki, 2025).
With increasing ICE sightings, Illinois has a critical policy designed to protect students from this growing fear. The Safe Schools for All Act (HB 3247), following the line of the United States Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe (1982), is a law designed to “ secure the right of every child to equal access to a free public education and a school that is safe from intimidation and fear” (Legislative Information System, 2025). The law, signed into law by Governor Pritzker on August 15, 2025, with an effective date of January 1, 2026, ensures that every child, regardless of immigration status, has the right to a free public education. It also emphasizes the need to protect students by requiring schools to establish clear procedures for when federal law enforcement requests access to a building, ensuring a safe environment for every student.
As the Safe Schools for All Act's implementation date nears, some K-12 schools have not yet taken significant steps to support students. Mayra shared that, even though many students at her school have been affected by the mass ICE raids and deportations, the district has remained silent (personal communication, November 3, 2025).
As mandated by the Safe Schools for All Act, each school in Mayra’s district has administrative processes in place if federal immigration authorities request access to any school building. Still, there aren't any procedures for teachers and school staff on how they can support their students. Given the lack of concrete procedures, K-12 educators and administrators can take practical steps to make their students feel safer and more supported.
Recommendation 1: Center Compassion and Community
First, teachers and staff need to be compassionate and caring with students, giving them spaces to express their experiences and emotions. After witnessing family members or neighbors detained, children often arrive at school fearful, confused, and deeply affected (McClellan, 2025). K-12 teachers and staff can serve as a stabilizing presence, offering a listening ear, a comforting gesture, and a safe space where students know their emotions are valid. Creating opportunities for students to share their stories collectively, such as through restorative circles, allows them to find community through shared experiences and begin healing together (Center for Educational Improvement, 2019). These practices not only build trust but also foster resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Recommendation 2: Support Families and Address Practical Needs
Not only is it essential to support students in the classroom, but it is also critical to support them outside the classroom, addressing not only their needs but also those of their entire family. ICE raids disrupt entire households, sometimes leaving children without caregivers and forcing older siblings to take on new responsibilities overnight. Schools must prepare to accommodate prolonged student absences with empathy, reaching out to families to offer support without judgment (Center for Educational Improvement, 2019). Social workers and counselors should prioritize affected students, helping them navigate new challenges like food insecurity, changing family dynamics, and caring for younger siblings. In cities where social services may cooperate with ICE, schools should partner with trusted community organizations and immigrant rights groups to ensure families receive the help they need.
Despite the fear students may be facing due to heightened federal immigration detentions, K-12 staff, administrators, and teachers like Mayra can help students feel safe and supported by maintaining open communication, offering resources on students' rights, and providing emotional support. By responding flexibly and compassionately, K-12 schools can serve as a lifeline for students and families affected by ICE raids.
References
Center for Educational Improvement. (2019, September 3). Helping Immigrant Children: How Educators Can Support Students Before & After an ICE Raid. Center for Educational Improvement. https://www.edimprovement.org/post/how-educators-can-support-students-after-an-ice-raid
Korecki, N. (2025, October 14). Chicago teachers say immigration enforcement near schools is scaring kids and disrupting class. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/chicago-teachers-immigration-enforcement-schools-scaring-kids-rcna236734
Legislative Information System. (2025). Bill Status of HB3247. Official Government Website of the Illinois General Assembly; Legislative Information System. https://ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus/FullText?GAID=18&DocNum=3247&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=161733&SessionID=114
McClellan, H. V. (2025, February 3). Resources for educators following Trump’s new policies on ICE, immigration. EducationNC. https://www.ednc.org/02-04-2025-resources-for-educators-following-trumps-new-policies-on-ice-immigration/
Najarro, I. (2025, October 31). Inside the Fear at Chicago Schools Amid Federal Immigration Raids. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/inside-the-fear-at-chicago-schools-amid-federal-immigration-raids/2025/10