Since 2022, over half a million school-age migrant children have arrived in the U.S., significantly impacting public schools. A Reuters survey of more than 10,000 school districts revealed that one-third of respondents reported a “significant” impact from the increase in immigrant students. Teachers, like Dana Smith in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, face challenges such as language barriers and overcrowded classrooms, leading to frustrations among both educators and parents. Many districts have responded by hiring more English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers, while others struggle with communication and resource availability. This issue has also become a focal point in political discussions, with figures like Donald Trump using it to critique immigration policies and their effects on local communities.
