September 17, 2025.

An immigration crackdown in Washington has taken a toll on children attending the district’s schools. Some children have had their parents swept up in the law enforcement surge. Other students fear they or their family members could be next. Mindful that some parents were afraid of leaving home, volunteers began organizing “walking buses” to accompany groups of children by foot from apartment buildings to schools. Research has linked immigration raids near schools to lower academic outcomes. The scenes are likely to be replicated elsewhere as President Donald Trump dispatches federal agents to the streets of other big cities. Department of Homeland Security officials say Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have not entered schools to make arrests.