Blog Post #6 Alabama Immigration Enforcement Law Has A 'Chilling Effect' In Classrooms

The state of Alabama has passed a new law that has not only affected parents, but students themselves are scared to come to school. The law requires that schools verify the immigration status of children enrolling for the first time. School officials have tried to reassure parents that this information will not be used to identify a student as illegal, but instead, it will help to contribute to their statistical data in determining how much money is spent on educating undocumented students. While this may be true, parents still feel that there is an underlying factor and taking precautions in the ways they know best. This law was taken into effect earlier this week, and it has stirred up emotions of fear and confusion. According to the Associated Press, more than 200 Latino students were absent the morning after the judge’s ruling. And state education officials estimated that more than 2000 Latino students were absent from school on Monday, and the numbers seem to be increasing.

The statement in the article, made by Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation for Teachers read: “Educators should not be put in the position of being immigration law enforcers” I agree with Weingarten to the simple fact that schools have become safe havens for students. Regardless of their problems at home or within their community, students have grown to use schools as an outlet of safety. Yet, when teachers are given the duty of finding out their status, it makes it difficult to trust them. From research and personal experience, immigrants of all statuses are taught to keep your information private or risk getting deported. Therefore, Latino students and their parents aren’t really sure if the law is just a cover up for deportation or really for the books. So instead of risking it, they choose not to come. Eventually, this will begin to effect their education and could lead to an epidemic of high school dropouts within Alabama. I feel that if the schools are genuinely doing this for statistically purposes then they need to go above and beyond to reach out to the parents. But, if they are doing this for other reasons they should be ashamed. A child’s mind is a horrible thing to waste and if staying here illegally will allow them to grow academically, then so be it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/06/new-immigration-law-chilling-effect_n_998628.html?ir=Education