School absenteeism is rising sharply among Latino students across the United States, driven by fears of immigration raids and increasing federal enforcement actions, a new investigation by Noticias Telemundo has revealed.
The spike is especially acute in districts with large populations of mixed-status immigrant families, where uncertainty and anxiety are prompting some parents to keep their children home.
A June study led by Stanford professor Thomas S. Dee and quoted by Telemundo found that school absences in California’s Central Valley increased by 22% early this year following immigration enforcement operations. “As soon as the raids happened, the absences went up—a clear break from previous attendance patterns,” Dee told Telemundo. The effect was most pronounced among preschool and elementary students, whose attendance is closely tied to parental involvement.
Similar patterns are emerging nationwide. In the Highline School District near Seattle, chronic absenteeism rose to 48% this past academic year—up from steady improvements in previous years, the investigation revealed.. Chicago high schools also reported a 20% drop in attendance compared to last year.
Latino students faced elevated absenteeism rates even before these developments, with many facing economic pressures, caregiving responsibilities, and health concerns. In Illinois, Hispanic students had the second-highest chronic absenteeism rate in 2024 at 33%, above the state average of 26%.
Federal policies are intensifying these challenges. A report published last week by Learning Policy Institute noted that over the last six months federal spending has shifted away from education toward immigration enforcement. Simultaneously, the administration has proposed slashing education funding by $12.4 billion in fiscal year 2026.
The consequences of these events are both academic and systemic. Frequent absences hinder learning, affect school funding formulas based on average daily attendance, and may eventually lead to truancy court involvement. Latino, Black, and Indigenous students are disproportionately penalized through such legal pathways, according to multiple studies cited by Telemundo.
“Regular school attendance is a strong predictor of long-term health and wellbeing,” said Josh Sharfstein of Johns Hopkins to the outlet. Chronic absenteeism can trigger anxiety disorders and disrupt emotional development, further deepening disparities.
Some districts, however, are responding. Schools in Connecticut have seen improvements by working directly with families and community leaders to rebuild trust and attendance. Others, like Highline, are reiterating commitments to protect all students, regardless of immigration status. “We’re committed to ensuring every student’s right to education remains protected,” said Highline spokesperson Tove Tupper to Telemundo..
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.