Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1234752
is in chaos. How can you expect them to be focused on school, get along with others and have good social-emotional skills when they are so on edge?" Her students are traumatized, but at least they're not in cages like youths in detention centers. "We'll see even higher levels of trauma when those students finally arrive in our schools," she predicts. California schools: Ground zero for trauma Approximately 250,000 undocumented children ages 3-17 are enrolled in California public schools. ey are promised a free K-12 education by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe. California has approximately 750,000 K-12 students with undocumented parents. Many families have mixed status because some family members are U.S. citizens and some aren't. Of the more than 2 million undocumented residents living in California, 69 percent are from Mexico and 11 percent are from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. More than 28,000 children who crossed the border without their parents live in California. If a minor turns themself in or is detained by immigration authorities, they are processed by the Office of Refugee Resettlement and sent to live with relatives or friends, or put in a detention center pending their court date. Students who experience immigration-related trauma live in constant fear that they or family members will be locked up or deported. Trump initially promised to target "criminals," but the majority of those in detention — nearly 70 percent — have no criminal record, reports the Washington Post. Immigration anxiety compounds existing stress among Latino students. Research shows 80 percent live in poverty and one- third are English learners. ey are bullied in school and lack access to health care. Only 12 percent attain a four-year degree, and undocumented students lack access to federal financial aid, making college less attainable. "Social justice and immigration issues are closely intertwined and really affecting our students," says Valladolid. "It's so sad to see this happening in the 21st century in the richest country in the world." New DACA dilemmas Jose, born in Mexico, moved to the California when he was 1. e U.S. is the only home he knows. Now he fears deportation to a country he doesn't remember. He worries he won't be able to work or attend college. Jasmin was also brought to the U.S. as a young child from Mexico. She is determined to go to college and has received a scholarship for undocumented students. She is trying to stay optimistic and wants a medical career. " I've had students whose family members were kidnapped or killed in front of them. You can see the symptoms of their anxiety. They shut down. They have short tempers. But I am inspired by them every day — they are so resilient and persistent." — Paul McCarthy, United Educators of San Francisco United Educators of San Francisco member Paul McCarthy works with immigrants at San Francisco International High School, where educators — and signs — let newcomers know they are welcome. Continued on page 29 26 cta.org feature