For the past four years, Vanessa has escorted children and their families across the street to Shenandoah Elementary in Little Havana, ensuring they arrive at school safely. But when school started this fall, the crossing guard immediately noticed something was different.
Beginning last school year, immigrant parents told her they were leaving the United States for their home country. Others said they were too afraid to bring their children to school. On the first day, she watched families turn around after spotting police cars parked near the school. Some never came back, she said.
“I’ve had parents tell me they’re not bringing the kids anymore,” said Vanessa. She declined to use her full name because she worries about her own immigration status. She says her daughter came home from school multiple times to tell her that friends had suddenly left for their countries of origin…