For José Alberto González and his family, life in the United States took a dramatic turn.
Spending their final months in a one-bedroom apartment in Denver, Colorado, they mostly isolated themselves, only interacting with their Venezuelan roommates.
The family relied on WhatsApp for warnings about immigration agents while attempting to navigate their daily lives, which involved occasional landscaping jobs and school runs for their two children.
The couple’s decision to migrate to the U.S. two years prior was driven by the hope of better opportunities for their children and the possibility of economic improvement.
However, their aspirations shifted rapidly, culminating in their departure from the U.S. on February 28, when they took a bus to El Paso to begin their journey back to Venezuela.
While immigrants like González have been cautious about going out due to fears of immigration enforcement, many are still sending their children to school.
However, this does not mean they feel safe.
Reports indicate that families are communicating intentions to leave with their children’s schools as the fear of deportation grows.
Statistics show that thousands of immigrants have already notified the federal government of their plans to self-deport, influenced by policies and statements from the Trump administration that have raised concerns about increased immigration enforcement.
One of the recent pivotal moments was the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration to revoke legal protections for many Venezuelans, stripping them of Temporary Protected Status and adding to the fears surrounding potential deportation.
Advocates believe this will lead more families to consider leaving the U.S. altogether, which would not only affect their lives but also impact local school funding reliant on student enrollment.
Andrea Rentería, the principal of an elementary school in Denver serving immigrant families, expressed empathy towards the choices parents are making amid the uncertainty.
She asserted, “The amount of fear and uncertainty that is going through parents’ heads, who could blame somebody for making a choice to leave?”
The election of President Trump in November 2016 marked a turning point for many immigrant families, including González’s.
Trump’s campaign rhetoric, often depicting immigrants and Venezuelans in a negative light, exacerbated fears, leading González to conclude that it was time to leave the U.S.
By his calculations, even earning a mere $50 weekly back in Venezuela was a better risk than staying in a country where he felt criminalized for his appearance and background.
González faced the challenges of raising funds for the costly journey back, saving up more than $3,000 and confiding in only a housemate to avoid drawing attention.
In the weeks leading to their departure, they received messages about planned immigration raids in local schools, prompting González to keep his son home for fear of entanglement with immigration authorities.
“Honestly, we were really scared for our boy,” González admitted, reflecting on the challenges of being undocumented.
After Trump’s inauguration, the impact on school attendance became evident.
Data from the Denver Public Schools indicated that attendance had fallen, particularly among schools serving immigrant children.
By February, attendance had decreased by 3%, with some schools reporting declines as steep as 4.7%.
Attending school became a source of anxiety for many families, prompting some parents to express reluctance in sending their children to class amidst fears of detention.
The Denver school district even initiated a lawsuit against the government over changed immigration enforcement policies that they argued contributed to the drop in attendance.
Despite their claims, a judge deemed they did not sufficiently link attendance decline directly to the policy changes.
Unfortunately, the problem of decreased attendance was not limited to Denver alone.
Across various states, including Texas, Alabama, Idaho, and Massachusetts, school districts noticed similar attendance drops during periods of heightened immigration enforcement or rumors of raids.
As González prepared to leave, he withdrew his children from school and communicated his plans to school officials, marking a significant, emotional end to their pursuit of a better life in the U.S.
Feedback from other parents echoed González’s concerns, with many opting to return to their home countries due to the uncertain atmosphere.
In Denver, 3,323 students had withdrawn from school by mid-April, a notable increase from the previous year, yet district officials struggled to explain the sudden surge.
Schools in Massachusetts and Washington State reflected similar trends as some families opted to leave for safer environments, resulting in feelings of separations within families, as some children stayed behind in the U.S. to continue their education.
In Chelsea, Massachusetts, a district with a significant immigrant population, a mother recently withdrew her children from school, signaling the series of tough decisions parents are making.
The critical situation deepened further when news of an ICE raid at a roofing company in Bellingham, Washington, prompted two families to return to Mexico, highlighting the tangible fears that accompany daily life for immigrant families.
From insight gathered, there is an ever-growing urgency among immigrant families to prepare documents needed for repatriation, indicating a larger trend of people contemplating leaving the U.S. for good.
Recent data revealed a 36% increase in applications for Brazilian passports in March compared to the previous year, illustrating the collective anxiety felt within immigrant communities.
Requesting documentation necessary for repatriation has become crucial for families, ensuring they are prepared should they meet the choice to exit their current lives.
Melvin Josué exemplifies this urgency; alongside his wife, they traveled from New Jersey to Boston for Honduran passports for their children.
Navigating the uncertainty surrounding immigration policy heightens stress for many immigrant families.
Josué expressed concern over potential detainment for both him and his wife, alongside economic struggles that leave them contemplating a return to Honduras.
“I don’t know what we’ll do, but we may have to go back to Honduras,” he reflected, revealing the struggles entwined with the fear of losing his family.
As the size of the ongoing exodus continues to grow, the future of educational institutions supporting these families also faces significant upheaval.
Consultants working with various districts are already noting declines in summer school enrollment, particularly for students requiring language assistance, leading to fears about future attendance and funding impacts.
Educators and finance experts alike are starting to signal alarm about the long-term implications of diminished immigration student populations on school budgets, particularly those reliant on student enrollment-based funding.
Every student who walks through the door represents crucial financial support, a factor that schools with sizable immigrant communities cannot afford to overlook.
In the shifting landscape of immigration policy, the offer of monetary incentives to encourage leaving the U.S. could further accelerate these departures, as immigrant families face increased pressures.
Despite the offers, González stands firm in avoiding government registration, advising others to leave independently when the time comes.
Back in Venezuela now, González reflects on his journey while guiding fellow migrants still navigating their paths in the U.S., emphasizing the value of resilience over reliance.
In the aftermath of drastic policy changes and the accompanying fears, immigrant families remain at a crossroads, facing some of life’s most difficult decisions in search of safety and stability.
image source from：https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/21/immigration-schools-colorado-trump-administration/
