With large migrant population, Miami public schools cope with immigration uncertainty
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Educators say President Trump's immigration crackdown is already sowing fear in Miami-Dade schools, which educate thousands of migrant students who may face the threat of deportation.
Why it matters: The Miami-Dade district has a substantial immigrant population — enrolling more than 20,000 students from other countries in the 2022-23 school year — and will likely see an outsized impact from federal directives.
- Some educators have reported that students aren't showing up to school amid the uncertainty surrounding Trump's executive orders, Miami-Dade teachers union president Karla Hernández-Mats told Axios.
Between the lines: The majority of students who enrolled during that time came from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti through a Biden-era parole program that allowed migrants to live and legally work in the country for two years.
- The Trump administration has rescinded the program, leaving the immigration status of its beneficiaries in doubt.
Catch up quick: Last week, the Trump administration told immigration officials they could raid schools and churches, which were previously off-limits, arguing "criminals will no longer be able to hide" in those facilities "to avoid arrest."
- Days later, the Florida Department of Education said it would cooperate with the administration.
The big picture: Possible raids in schools, deportations of classmates or faculty and the added responsibility of explaining the situation to students will "diminish the quality of what [teachers] are able to do" and impact the profession's future, Hernández-Mats said.
- While it remains unclear whether or how immigration enforcement will enter local schools, educators stress how such policies can be traumatic for students and faculty, regardless of their citizenship status.
Case in point: Hernández-Mats said she knew of at least one teacher who went to an immigration hearing and was detained, leaving "students without a teacher and wondering what's going on."
What they're saying: In a statement, Miami-Dade County schools officials said the district "remains committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environment."
- Officials pointed to the district's mental health support services for students and families and said it reminded principals of student privacy laws and that students should not be released without proper authorization.
School Board member Luisa Santos told Axios the district workforce has been trained to understand those laws, including a student's right to a public education regardless of immigration status.
- The union is instructing faculty to keep doors locked and providing teachers with "Know Your Rights" information curated by immigration and community organizations.
The bottom line: "Every corner of our district is impacted by immigration," Santos said.
- "But until those laws change, we will not ask students [for] their status or their families', and we will make sure our schools are a safe place for learning."