BOULDER, CO (January 16, 2025)—In this month's episode of NEPC Talks Education, Christopher Saldaña discusses how changes in immigration policy affect students, families, and educational communities with Sophia Rodriguez (NYU Steinhardt School of Education) and Jacob Kirksey (Texas Tech University).

Rodriguez and Kirksey point out that although schools are legally mandated to be safe spaces for all students regardless of immigration status, schools face significant challenges to their ability to create such safe spaces. Kirksey's research, for example, finds that immigration enforcement actions correlate directly with increased student absenteeism and decreased academic performance. His longitudinal studies found that communities affected by immigration raids experience long-term negative impacts, including lower college enrollment rates and reduced wages for affected students.

Rodriguez points out that immigrant communities are complex and diverse. Her research found that immigrant families demonstrate high levels of educational engagement and maintain strong academic expectations for their children, and contribute positively to school communities despite facing significant challenges.

Rodriguez and Kirksey’s research suggests that successful support for immigrant students requires coordinated efforts between schools, community organizations, and local advocacy groups, with particular attention to maintaining schools as safe, supportive spaces for all students. Accordingly, they both recommend that school districts develop comprehensive safety plans and build partnerships with local immigrant rights organizations.

A new NEPC Talks Education podcast episode, hosted by Christopher Saldaña, will be released each month from September through May. 

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