How ICE Affects Students

June 11, 2026

Meadow Hall Elementary School in Rockville, Maryland, where nearly 60% of students are Hispanic, has implemented a "walking school bus" program where trusted adults escort children to and from school due to widespread fears of immigration enforcement activity. The initiative emerged after school attendance dropped significantly as families became afraid to let children walk to school alone following increased ICE presence in the area and several deportations that directly affected at least five students at the school. The school community has responded with comprehensive support including fundraising campaigns, food and clothing drives, counseling services, and legal resources to help affected families create emergency care plans.

Who is affected

Students at Meadow Hall Elementary School, particularly the nearly 60% Hispanic student population
Five specific students whose family members have been deported by ICE
One student now living only with his grandmother after parents were deported
Families facing eviction after losing their main financial provider to deportation
Teachers and staff at Meadow Hall Elementary School
Hispanic community members in Montgomery County (nearly 1 in 5 county residents)
Families attending free community English classes at the school

What action is being taken

Teachers and trusted community members are escorting students to and from school through a "walking school bus" program
The school is providing one-on-one counseling sessions at least once a week for affected students
Group counseling sessions are being offered for students to talk with peers who have similar experiences
Community members are running GoFundMe accounts raising thousands of dollars for affected families
School drives are providing groceries and clothing to families
Individual teachers are donating clothing, medicine, and food to families
Local police are partnering with schools to monitor ICE protocols
Staff are creating welcoming environments and fostering trusting relationships with immigrant families
The school is maintaining closed-door policies and careful supervision of students outside

Why it matters

This situation demonstrates the profound impact immigration enforcement actions have on educational communities, particularly in areas with significant Hispanic populations. The fear of deportation is disrupting basic educational functions like school attendance and community programs, while creating severe emotional trauma for young children who may lose parents or face family separation. The comprehensive community response—including safety escorts, mental health services, emergency planning, and material support—reveals both the depth of the crisis and the critical role schools play as safety nets for vulnerable populations. These developments also highlight how immigration policy directly affects childhood development, family stability, and community cohesion in immigrant-heavy areas.

What's next

The school is working to obtain official outfits/uniforms so the community can identify trusted "walking school bus" escorts
Teachers have arranged to temporarily foster students in cases where no other family is available to care for them if parents are deported
MCPS officials have created a final draft of resources that is now being implemented county-wide for other schools facing similar situations

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer