Maryland public schools reported a decline in Hispanic student enrollment for the 2024-25 school year, ending a decade‑long trend of steady growth. State education data released in June indicate the drop follows a sharp increase in immigration arrests near schools and neighborhoods.
Local impact on families and classrooms
Educators and parents in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties say the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside schools has created a climate of fear. “We don’t know the full impact yet, but the new enrollment numbers raise serious concerns,” said Donna Christy, president of the Prince George’s County Educators’ Association. Teachers at Rosa Parks Elementary reported noticeably fewer Hispanic students in recent classes, and staff at the Arco Iris Bilingual Children’s Center in Laurel noted enrollment falling to roughly half capacity after ICE vehicles parked outside the facility.
Community advocates describe families being detained while dropping children at school, leaving parents without childcare, transportation, or income. Nicole de la Torre of the Prince George’s County Immigrant Rights Collective said more than 150 families have lost a primary breadwinner, forcing children to assume adult responsibilities or miss school altogether.
Policy changes and enforcement numbers
The enrollment decline coincides with a policy shift after President Donald Trump’s second term began in January 2025. The administration rescinded a Biden‑era directive that discouraged immigration enforcement near “sensitive locations” such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship. ICE arrests in Maryland rose from about 1,300 in the final year of the Biden administration to nearly 4,700 in the first year of the Trump administration, according to the Deportation Data Project.
State officials say the surge in arrests contributed to a 4.4% drop in Hispanic graduation rates between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, compared with a 1.2% decline for the overall student body. English‑learner graduation rates fell 5.5% over the same period.
School officials respond
In January, Maryland’s Superintendent Carey Wright met with ICE officials, including Baltimore Field Office Interim Director Nikita Baker, to discuss the agency’s presence near schools. ICE representatives assured officials they would not conduct raids inside school buildings. Nevertheless, an ICE arrest occurred outside Baltimore’s Commodore John Rodgers Elementary and Middle School in June, prompting Governor Wes Moore to call the incident “deeply disturbing.”
State Department of Education communications director Cherie Duvall‑Jones confirmed meetings with ICE officials in 2025 but did not confirm any recent discussions.
Broader enrollment trends
While overall Maryland enrollment also fell, the Hispanic decline was the most pronounced among major racial groups. Data show 12 of the 20 sharpest enrollment drops in schools with at least 500 Hispanic students occurred in Montgomery County, with declines ranging from 6% to 11%.
School international enrollment offices report unprecedented reductions in new immigrant student numbers, and staff workloads have effectively doubled as they navigate the increased need for family support services.
Looking ahead
Advocates warn that without a change in federal enforcement policy, the enrollment and graduation declines could worsen. “If the current federal administration does not see any type of change, we expect these numbers to increase in the upcoming years,” said Shannon Wilk de Benitez, director of We Are CASA Education.
Local school districts continue to prioritize safety and academic support for immigrant students, but resources remain strained amid the heightened enforcement environment.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
