Amuedo-Dorantes C, Bucheli JR, Martinez-Donate AP. Safe-zone schools and the academic performance of children in mixed-status households: Evidence from the 'between the lines' study.
Migr Stud 2023;
11:143-173. [PMID:
36909276 PMCID:
PMC9996116 DOI:
10.1093/migration/mnac040]
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Abstract
In response to the intensification of immigration enforcement in the interior of the USA, some school districts have implemented 'safe-zone' policies to protect students' academic progression and well-being. Using primary data from a sample of US-born children of unauthorized migrants, we document the detrimental effect of stricter immigration enforcement on children's educational outcomes and the benefits of safe-zone policies. Our analyses show that restricting immigration authorities' access to schools and providing counseling on immigration-related issues are crucial policy components in strengthening children's focus, effort, expectations, parental involvement, and relationships. These findings highlight the damaging impact of immigration enforcement on US-citizen children in mixed-status households and advance our understanding of the role of local policies in mitigating these effects.
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