Children in fear: Working with undocumented families

Abstract

Immigration is a contentious issue in the US today. Phrases, like build a wall or send them back, are commonplace. Images of children being separated from their parents at the border pepper news reports. Temporary protected status, which was given to immigrants from war-torn countries, like El Salvador and those affected by catastrophic environmental disasters, like Haiti, is under siege. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids are commonplace. Multiple factors are important to keep in mind when working with immigrant children. This column provides an overview of critical information that public school teachers and administrators need to know regarding this population.