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Karen MacDonald taught for 37 years in the Portland Public Schools. In 2014 she served as Maine’s Teacher of the Year.
In Maine, we pride ourselves on being a place where every child can walk through the school doors and know they belong. But for some students and families, that sense of safety has been shaken recently by the fear of ICE. And fear has no place in our classrooms or schools.
Since the start of 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has stepped up enforcement efforts across the country. Earlier this year, the federal government’s decision to revoke long-standing protections for “sensitive locations” — including schools and places of worship — has understandably frightened many in our local communities.
While individual school districts have informed the community that schools are required to follow the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protects student privacy, confusion and uncertainty remain. Families live with the constant worry that a parent, sibling, or child could be detained or deported.
Maine educators are not immune from the effects of increased ICE activities. Students in many Maine communities are coming to school burdened by the trauma of family separation, confusion and fear. When children fear losing a loved one, their ability to learn suffers.
Teachers across the nation report students experiencing intense anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress after witnessing or hearing about immigration raids. Families may keep children home from school for fear of what might happen if they leave the house. I believe all of Maine’s educators, regardless of where they teach, have a role to play in supporting those who are carrying this weight.
We can assume that Maine children dealing with this stress and fear often struggle to concentrate or participate in class. Grades may slip. Attendance may drop. Some students withdraw socially and take on adult responsibilities far beyond their years. Educators, already stretched thin, are left trying to fill emotional gaps.
A school should be a safe place in a child’s world — a place of stability, belonging, and hope. When that sense of security is shattered, the ripple effects reach every corner of the classroom, the school, and the community. Teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff share the responsibility to create environments where children feel protected and supported, regardless of their family’s immigration status. And support from colleagues throughout the state is critical for those educators dealing with this additional burden in an already highly stressful environment.
This work isn’t just for schools with immigrant students. It’s for every educator in our state, because the trauma of arrests and deportations extends beyond the individuals directly involved. It impacts the trust, compassion, and sense of community that makes our schools strong.
This moment calls for compassion, courage, and education — compassion for the families navigating unimaginable uncertainty, and courage to stand up for the principle that every child deserves safety, dignity, and the chance to learn. In addition, Maine educators who do not face these challenges daily, or understand them, should educate themselves on the situation faced by their peers.
Education is about academics and it’s about nurturing belonging and hope. As Mainers, as educators, and as neighbors, we must continue to open our arms, not close our doors.
When students feel safe, they can learn. And when they learn, Maine’s future is brighter for all of us.
