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DOE chancellor addresses impacts of Trump administration on NYC schools

The mayor's office has since pushed back on that statement, saying they haven't seen any measurable impact.

Amanda Bossard

Feb 5, 2025, 10:17 PM

Updated 2 hr ago

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The head of New York City's public school system is addressing the impact that ICE raids are having on students. Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos says staff have been trained and the city's Department of Education is working with nonprofits, as immigration enforcement unfolds across the boroughs. Still, she acknowledged the fear that some families feel sending their kids to school. "In the event that someone comes to the school, a process is in place, a judicial warrant is needed," said Aviles-Ramos. "But that messaging doesn't only have to be clear to the school leaders and the district leaders, but also to the families so they know that these are safe spaces." There's been much debate about the effect the raids have had on attendance at public schools. Last week, Aviles-Ramos said there was a drop, and she pointed to the new presidential administration's policies as part of the reason why. The mayor's office has since pushed back on that statement, saying they haven't seen any measurable impact. The nation's largest school district is also preparing for the potential fallout from future executive orders, specifically President Donald Trump's desire to eliminate the federal Department of Education. If that were to happen, the chancellor says NYC public schools could lose about $2 billion in federal funding.