NEW YORK, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Educators around the United States are bracing for upheaval, whether or not President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his pledge to deport millions of immigrants who are in the country illegally. Even if he only talks about it, children of immigrants will suffer, The Associated Press (AP) reported on Wednesday, citing educators and legal observers.
If "you constantly threaten people with the possibility of mass deportation, it really inhibits peoples' ability to function in society and for their kids to get an education," Hiroshi Motomura, a professor at UCLA School of Law, was quoted as saying.
If immigration agents were to arrest a parent dropping off children at school, it could set off mass panic, Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles, told the news agency.
Many school officials are reluctant to talk about their plans or concerns, some out of fear of drawing attention to their immigrant students. One school administrator serving many children of Mexican and Central American immigrants in the Midwest said their school has invited immigration attorneys to help parents formalize any plans for their children's care in case they are deported.
Immigration officials have avoided arresting parents or students at schools, according to the report. Since 2011, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has operated under a policy that immigration agents should not arrest or conduct other enforcement actions near "sensitive locations," including schools, hospitals and places of worship. ■