Yosi’s first day of school in the United States mirrored the scenes she had seen in American films; yellow school buses lined the school, and students filled the hallways.
Having arrived in Minneapolis just two months earlier, Yosi faced the daunting task of finding her way in a new school and a new country where she felt lost in translation.
After years of separation from her parents, she reunited with them, but her transition to U.S. public education was fraught with challenges.
In the second half of the Biden administration, nearly half a million new immigrant children enrolled in U.S. public schools.
Minneapolis Public Schools saw an influx of over 2,500 new students who spoke Spanish, welcoming them amidst a backdrop of declining enrollment and budget cuts.
Andersen United Middle School quickly became a refuge for these students, accommodating roughly one-third of its 1,000 students as newcomers who had been in the U.S. for three years or less.
To aid in their transition, Andersen offered dual-language Spanish programs alongside mainstream English classes, enabling many Spanish-speaking students to participate in classes in their native language.
Beyond academics, the school introduced special orientation classes tailored to familiarize students with the American education system.
Santiago, a 13-year-old from Ecuador, embarked on his journey to Andersen shortly after he and his father undertook a harrowing escapade from their home country.
Upon arrival, Santiago felt lost and overwhelmed, but found solace in forming friendships and gradually adapting to his new life.
On her first day at Andersen, Yosi was welcomed by a helpful classmate who guided her to her classes after she consulted her schedule.
Though Yosi was aware of the prevailing sentiment against immigrants in the U.S., she was grateful for the kindness she encountered from her peers and teachers.
As the presidential election loomed, the specter of uncertainty cast a shadow over the futures of these immigrant youths, many of whom had endured perilous journeys to arrive in America.
Annie Connor, the lead ESL teacher at Andersen, shifted her focus to support new students arriving in the district, implementing dedicated classes for newcomers.
Yosi and Santiago took part in her class, which fostered a sense of community and understanding among students from varied backgrounds.
Through engaging lessons and thoughtful guidance, Connor helped students navigate the complexities of the U.S. education system while addressing their unique needs.
With her classroom functioning as a ‘home base,’ Connor provided emotional and academic support to students dealing with the pervasive challenges of adjusting to a new country.
For Yosi, moving to Minnesota represented not just a geographical shift, but a reconnection with family.
She had spent years living with her grandmother in Mexico while her parents sought work in the U.S.
Yosi’s arrival marked a new chapter as she met her baby brother for the first time and began to participate in family activities.
Despite this joyous reunion, tragedy struck when Yosi’s cousin, who worked as a roofer, suffered a nearly fatal accident on the job.
Her cousin’s death left Yosi grappling with fear for her family’s safety as they navigated a new life in America.
Meanwhile, Santiago’s father had made the difficult decision to leave Ecuador behind due to an increasing threat from local gangs seeking to recruit young boys.
Their journey to the U.S. was filled with peril, and each step presented new dangers.
After much hardship, they arrived in Minnesota, grappling with the realities of adjusting to American life.
When fall rolled around, Connor introduced a new project: painting pumpkins as an expression of gratitude.
This project not only celebrated the American tradition of Halloween but also encouraged students to reflect on their appreciation for their teachers.
As the students explored their creativity, they engaged in conversations about community and connection, which were vital for their adjustment to life in a new country.
Despite the festive atmosphere, Santiago and Yosi found themselves enmeshed in a more complicated reality following Donald Trump’s election as president.
The uncertainty that accompanied Trump’s promise of mass deportations emerged as a constant source of fear among immigrant students at Andersen.
A sense of dread began to loom as one of Connor’s students faced deportation after only a brief time in school, shattering the hope of others who had arrived with dreams for a better future.
Santiago shared how he often felt lost and unsure of his place, while Yosi struggled with feelings of isolation and boredom as winter set in.
In her search for independence, Yosi began to resent her lack of freedom compared to her life in Mexico, where she could roam freely in her village.
Back at Andersen, Connor noticed troubling changes in behavior among the students, particularly among Santiago and his friends.
With attendance issues and social rivalries emerging at school, she worked closely with Santiago’s father to establish stricter rules at home in the hope of refocusing his son’s priorities on education and success.
As the struggle for adaptation persisted, the arrival of Trump’s administration brought a heightened sense of urgency among Andersen’s faculty to prepare immigrant students for the challenges ahead.
Connor took it upon herself to educate her students about their rights in light of potential immigration enforcement threats.
She fostered an environment where students felt safe discussing their fears, experience, and aspirations while acknowledging the daunting realities they faced.
Even as external circumstances threatened to undermine their progress, both Yosi and Santiago demonstrated resilience as they sought to adapt and thrive in their new community.
Yosi eventually received support from her father to obtain a passport amid fears of ICE raids, an indication of the daily anxieties faced by immigrant families.
With a national protest — a Day Without Immigrants — looming, misinformation clouded students’ choices about attending school, showcasing the urgent need for community education.
As Donald Trump’s administration tightened immigration policies, many students began questioning whether their futures in America were tenable.
Connor introduced lessons on civil rights, aiming to help her students conceptualize the complexities of their circumstances while emphasizing the importance of pursuing dreams despite adversity.
As Yosi and Santiago’s school year concluded, they had come far from the kids who first stepped into Andersen.
Santiago received recognition for his attendance, a testament to his newfound commitment to education.
On graduation day, however, overshadowing their celebration were fears sparked by an alleged police raid close to their community.
Despite the chaos, Yosi and Santiago’s accomplishments symbolized hope and perseverance in the face of uncertainty.
Both students were poised to embrace the next chapter of their lives in America, equipped with hard-won lessons and a growing sense of community, even as they remained unsure of what lay ahead.
image source from：sahanjournal
