US immigration raids linked to spike in student absences, Stanford study finds

US immigration raids linked to spike in student absences, Stanford study finds
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A new Stanford University study has found that immigration raids in California’s Central Valley this year led to a significant rise in student absences, raising concerns about the broader impact of immigration enforcement on education.
The research, conducted by Professor Thomas Dee of Stanford’s Graduate School of Education, examined three years of attendance data from five school districts in the southern Central Valley, home to over 100,000 students—many from Latino families and farming backgrounds.

The findings reveal a 22 percent increase in daily absences following immigration raids carried out under “Operation Return to Sender” earlier this year.
Though the raids did not target schools directly, the study suggests that fear of deportation kept children at home. Educators say this pattern has disrupted classroom learning, strained school resources, and increased demand for counseling and outreach services. In California, school funding is closely tied to attendance rates, further compounding the challenge.

In response to widespread protests, federal troops were recently deployed to Los Angeles, escalating public anxiety. Local officials report that even efforts to reassure families have not stemmed the decline in attendance. Fresno Unified School District Superintendent Misty Her confirmed that school staff have been making home visits and offering alternatives like virtual learning. However, experts caution against over-reliance on remote education, especially for younger students who benefit most from in-person instruction.

Jacob Kirksey, a professor at Texas Tech University, described the situation as potentially creating a generation of students with disrupted educational experiences, similar to those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The White House defended its immigration policies, stating that enforcing immigration laws is necessary for national order and benefits American communities. Some families may never return to school systems, having left the U.S. voluntarily to avoid separation.

Advocacy groups working with immigrant communities report an unprecedented level of fear, with families altering daily routines and, in some cases, relocating altogether. The study has prompted discussion about whether states should adjust education funding models and consider immigration raids as disruptive events akin to natural disasters.