“There’s a real fear that their kids will get put into the foster care system,” said Mary Clark, the executive director of Esperanza Immigrant Legal Services in Philadelphia. Undocumented immigrants, in their view, have filled jobs that belong to Americans, drained public resources and skipped the line for visas on which others waited for years. They may also be reluctant to leave the house for fear of immigration agents stalking outside. In response, school officials have asked teachers to reassure students that the district does not collect data on immigration status. The group is also telling immigrants that if a knock does come, sliding a card under the door is acceptable.

Source: New York Times February 23, 2017 02:15 UTC