As federal immigration arrests rise in New Jersey, teachers share strategies to help students
As New Jersey students head back to school, teachers say they are preparing for a school year shaped by uncertainty for immigrant families. The impact of stepped-up immigration enforcement is showing up in classrooms , particularly in schools with larger immigrant…
As New Jersey students return to school, educators are preparing for a year marked by uncertainty for immigrant families due to a rise in federal immigration arrests. In July, immigration enforcement in the state nearly doubled from the previous month, reaching its highest level in at least four years. Teachers from Newark, Orange, and Passaic districts are taking various strategies to support their students dealing with these issues.
Some will create safe spaces for students to discuss their concerns, while others will incorporate immigration-related topics into their lesson plans. Others maintain that keeping classroom routines consistent can help students focus on academics rather than external events. Advocates suggest that schools could offer more direct support, such as partnering with organizations to provide legal services or displaying "pro-immigrant welcoming posters."
Written by urgent.news from Chalkbeat's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
