Increased immigration enforcement, including the reinstatement of harsh policies like the Migrant Protection Protocols and reports of ICE agents on school campuses, has created a constant state of fear and distress in immigrant communities. The human cost, particularly for school-age children, is often overlooked—many live with daily concerns of family separation, causing emotional stress that undermines their learning, well-being and sense of safety at school.

The recent appearance of Homeland Security agents on Los Angeles campuses has only intensified that fear, serving as a warning: if it can happen in LAUSD, Pasadena Unified School District must also be ready to protect its students.

Schools are meant to be safe environments that foster growth, learning and opportunity. But for many students today, that safety has been compromised. The looming threat of deportation in their community can create challenges for students to focus on school, maintain attendance or feel a sense of belonging. In the PUSD, it is now common for students to grapple with multiple crises simultaneously. From navigating online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic to coping with the emotional impact of the Eaton fire and now many living in fear of ICE raids in their community, these students face constant adversity. Yet, they are still expected to show up, focus and succeed.

The psychological toll of this constant uncertainty is well-documented. A University of Washington study found that undocumented children report significantly higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than their counterparts. Another study, published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, concluded that the mental health consequences of restrictive immigration policies are on par with the long-term impact of chronic physical illnesses like heart or lung disease. These statistics make it clear: immigration enforcement is not just a legal issue—it’s a public health crisis for children.

School districts must be proactive to support students facing these immense challenges. PUSD has taken essential steps in this direction. Through its Student Wellness and Support Services, PUSD offers resources to address the social, emotional and physical barriers that hinder student success. Recognizing the unique pressures facing immigrant students, the district has implemented training for staff on the rights of undocumented youth, how to respond to ICE presence on or near campus and how to support families in crisis. This administrative support is essential to upholding every student’s constitutional right to a free and safe public education.

But this burden can’t fall on school districts alone. According to USC Dornsife’s Equity Research Institute, 1 in 5 Los Angeles County residents are either undocumented or live with someone who is. That means this issue affects countless families across many schools and neighborhoods.

To truly protect our students, policymakers, educators and community leaders must work together to create systemic protections. This includes developing and implementing a curriculum that educates students on their rights, increasing access to trauma-informed mental health services and guaranteeing that ICE agents are never permitted on school campuses without explicit legal authorization.

The Los Angeles County Office of Education is stepping up. It provides immigration services and Know Your Rights sessions for students and families to better understand their legal protections within the education system. However, more support is needed, and it must be standardized across all districts, not dependent on ZIP code or local leadership. Every student deserves to attend school without fear. Schools must be safe space free from immigration enforcement and equipped with the support students need. Now is the time for bold action to protect our most vulnerable.

Lauren Hart and Lucia Donadio are graduate students in social work at USC. Hart is an intern with PUSD’s Student Wellness and Support Services providing school-based mental health counseling to students.