Survey: Immigration Fears Keep Hispanic Parents from Schools

As Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized, a new survey from the National School Choice Awareness Foundation reveals that immigration concerns are deeply affecting Hispanic families' engagement with their children's education. Nearly one in five Hispanic parents say they have skipped or avoided a school event in the past year due to immigration fears, and 57% say the current immigration policy environment is at least a somewhat concerning factor in daily life. The survey also found that 14% have kept their child home from school, while 11% have avoided contacting a teacher or school staff member.

Krissia Campos Spivey, senior director of Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, a project of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, writes from her perspective as a Latina mother of two teenagers in traditional public school. She emphasizes that when fear influences decisions about attending school events, talking to teachers, or sending children to class, it becomes an education issue. The survey shows that 41% of parents simply want clear information about their children's right to a public education regardless of immigration status, a right affirmed by the Supreme Court in . Another 41% said immigration concerns have led them to consider, explore, or choose a different school or learning environment in the past year.

With three in 10 public school students in the U.S. being Hispanic, and roughly one in four American children under 18 being Latino, the education of Latino children is integral to the nation's future. Spivey calls on schools, districts, and community organizations to ensure families understand their rights in plain language and in the language they speak at home. Resources like Conoce Tus Opciones Escolares can help Spanish-speaking families explore learning options. Every child deserves a school where they can grow up happy, capable, and free to build the life they choose.