Repercussions of a Raid: Education and Health Outcomes of Children Entangled in Immigration Enforcement

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Applied Research on Educational Policy in Schools

Abstract

We contribute to research that aims to understand the education and health consequences of immigration enforcement for children in targeted communities. We employ a mixed methods design to investigate the effects of a sweeping Tennessee immigration raid on children’s education and health outcomes, using linked, longitudinal education and health data and a quasi-experimental design. Interviews with community members and organizations in the affected area enable us to better understand the mechanisms through which a community trauma such as this affects children directly and indirectly. Our results indicate negative effects across a range of education, healthcare utilization, and health outcomes for children in communities targeted by the raid, with the largest effects for children of immigrants living closest to the raid.

Authors

• Carolyn Heinrich, Vanderbilt University

• Monica Hernandez, Universidad EAFIT

• Mason Shero, Vanderbilt University