ABSTRACT
This case study asks educational leaders to consider the implications of immigration enforcement on undocumented students and children of undocumented immigrants. Abel is an 18-year-old high school senior and brother to two younger siblings. Abel’s parents were detained during a local ICE raid, forcing him to take over the guardianship of his siblings. Given these sudden responsibilities, Abel now contemplates whether to continue with school or to drop out and work full-time. He worries about the risks of reaching out to social services providers for help, as he has seen social workers separate families. Abel is not alone, as several families have been impacted by the ICE raid. Principal Schutz understands that this is not a singular issue, as other students in his building—and across the district—have also been affected. The principal must respond, but worries about student privacy and the school’s ability to fully support Abel in this situation.
