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For many students, the experience of immigration is deeply intertwined with uncertainty, fear, and emotional distress. They may grapple with family separation, cultural displacement, language barriers, and social stigma. These stressors can significantly impact their academic performance, emotional well-being, and sense of belonging in school.
Students experiencing immigration-related trauma may exhibit:
- Increased anxiety and hypervigilance in classroom settings.
- Social withdrawal or reluctance to participate in activities.
- Difficulty concentrating due to emotional distress.
- Sudden changes in behavior, including emotional outbursts or defiance.
- Persistent worries about family members’ safety and immigration status.
In our recent webinar, we discussed different strategies for schools to support students. Here are some of the highlights:
- Train educators on trauma-informed teaching practices to recognize and respond to signs of distress.
- Implement school-wide messaging that reinforces safety and inclusion for all students, regardless of immigration status.
- Provide safe spaces where students can process their emotions and seek support.
Amanda Ercilla Treviño, LCSW emphasized the importance of explicitly creating a safe classroom by saying something as simple as: "In this classroom, with me, you are safe." She encouraged educators to verbalize this message to reassure students and foster a sense of belonging.
Ashley Wolfe, DSW, LCSW, PPSC highlighted the power of value-aligned messaging. especially when a student is trying to assess how you feel about the current situation: "My go-to statement incorporates belonging and reminds students what I value. I say something like, ‘I believe every student on our campus belongs here, and they deserve to learn and be safe.’ Naming that in shared spaces, in really explicit ways, has had a pretty calming effect."
- Partner with mental health professionals who have experience supporting immigrant communities.
- Offer culturally responsive services that acknowledge students' backgrounds and unique challenges.
- Normalize discussions around stress and anxiety, making mental health resources easily accessible.
Maria Barrera, Clayful's CEO, emphasized the importance of immediate accessibility:
"Over the past couple of years, we’ve been supporting thousands of students across the country, and our motto has always been, "let’s support students where they are, when they need it, in the moment". We support students outside of the school walls, outside of school hours, right on their devices, within 60 seconds. No appointment, no video, no driving needed.
This kind of support is important for teenagers when they're riding the rollercoaster of emotions. But it's especially important during periods of high stress - like right now."
- Ensure communication with families is available in multiple languages and through culturally relevant channels.
- Partner with local organizations to provide legal aid, financial assistance, and social services to families in need.
- Host or have community organizations host informational workshops that educate families on school policies, rights, and available community support.
- Encourage a supportive peer culture that discourages bullying and discrimination.
Amanda shared an effective initiative: "I have a great relationship with our police department in Arlington, and I invited them to do a talk on ‘Know Your Rights.’ They told students, ‘We work for you. We do not work for ICE. We work for your safety.’ That message was powerful."
She also mentioned how having community events where students and families can come together to dance, eat, and be together can have a healing effect.
- Equip teachers with the tools to discuss immigration and identity-related trauma sensitively and effectively (at the bottom of this blog you can find some resources to share)
- Provide mental health support for educators too as they might also be managing situations in their personal life, as well as the second-hand & vicarious trauma (Clayful is now available for educators as well. Let's chat if you're interested in learning more)
Amanda stressed the power of teacher advocacy"Teachers got up and said, ‘I am someone you can come and talk to. I support you. I’m here for you.’ I thought that made such an impact on our students because they need to hear that explicitly."
Ashley also emphasized that, depending on your community, it might be helpful to align everyone on the fact that supporting all students is a fundamental part of the educational system: "As educators, we sign up to promote student learning, safety, and wellness—no matter where we are on the political spectrum. This is not a political issue; it’s about ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and supportive environment. Grounding ourselves in this reality helps us navigate difficult conversations with clarity and purpose."
Schools play a critical role in helping immigrant students feel seen, supported, and empowered. By fostering a trauma-informed, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment, educators can provide students with the stability and security they need to succeed academically and emotionally. Supporting immigrant students is not just about meeting their academic needs—it’s about recognizing their humanity, honoring their identities, and ensuring that they feel a true sense of belonging in school.