Immigrant student enrollment in U.S. schools has plummeted due to stricter enforcement, causing funding losses and school closures.

U.S. schools are seeing sharp declines in immigrant student enrollment, driven by stricter immigration enforcement, fewer border crossings, and family departures under President Trump’s policies. Miami-Dade County reports a drop from over 20,000 to about 2,550 new immigrant students this year, costing the district an estimated $70 million in funding. Similar trends are seen in Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, and California, where newcomer academies have closed or seen no new students, threatening teacher jobs. Families are returning home or relocating within the U.S. due to fear of detention. These declines worsen existing enrollment challenges from demographic shifts and rising private and homeschooling, straining school budgets and support services nationwide.