These are the anxious questions school psychologist Irene Peña hears from children as young as 5, both in her Calistoga community and at work in Lake County. A wave of uncertainty has washed over immigrant communities, and on Friday, fears turned chillingly real when reports surfaced that immigration officials had entered a Chicago school. The reports were later dismissed as false, but the panic they sparked was undeniable.
“Children don’t know how to filter their fear,” Peña said. “Not knowing what’s going to happen to their families is very hard. They have to struggle with that anxiety and maintain their education. I think they are the ones who will suffer the most.”
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has reignited fears among Wine Country’s immigrant communities. Campaigning on promises of tougher deportation policies, his administration wasted no time. Within days, executive orders rolled out what some have described as preparations for a “mass deportation” of undocumented immigrants, sending shockwaves through vulnerable families.
On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security reversed a 2011 policy that limited immigration enforcement activity at sensitive locations like schools and churches. Under the new directives, immigration authorities can now enter these spaces to conduct arrests.
Schools at the forefront of concern
In Napa and Sonoma counties, educational leaders are taking steps to reassure families that schools will remain as safe as possible.
Uncertainty is the prevailing feeling right now, said Eric Wittmershaus, communications director for the Sonoma County Office of Education.
California’s laws, such as its 2017 sanctuary state legislation, aim to protect immigrants by limiting cooperation with federal authorities. Ahead of Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, California Attorney General Rob Bonta reminded schools of their duties to safeguard students’ information.
So far, no immigration actions have taken place at schools in the region, Wittmershaus said, though he noted it is difficult to predict how federal and state directives might conflict if they do.
Even so, he acknowledged that the potential impact on school attendance remains a pressing concern.
Rising anxiety
“We’re getting more calls from parents seeking family preparedness planning and Know Your Rights information and advice on how to protect their families,” Abdo said.
Local school districts, including those in Santa Rosa and Napa, said Friday they had not yet observed an effect on attendance or that it was too early to tell. No attendance data since the presidential transition was available as of Friday.
But reports of anxiety among students with immigrant backgrounds are rising. Charlotte Hajer, development director at Napa-based mental health organization Mentis, said the number of students experiencing anxiety has noticeably increased over the past week.
Mentis provides therapists at 20 school campuses across Napa County and has seen growing demand for its services.
Although no formal data was available Friday, staff at On the Move and Mentis said they have observed an increase in need and demand over the last seven days.
Schools as ‘safe havens’
Before Trump took office, Santa Rosa City Schools and Napa Valley Unified were among several California school districts that passed resolutions reaffirming their commitment to supporting all students and designating their campuses as “safe havens.”
Since then, these districts have taken further steps to provide resources and support.
“We have set up a webpage where families can obtain resources and information for immigration support,” said James Hodgman, public information officer for Santa Rosa City Schools. The webpage, located at srcschools.org/families/immigrant-family-support, includes details on immigrant rights and district policies.
Similarly, Napa Valley Unified is engaging with immigrant parents to understand their needs and ensure families feel supported.
In a recent message to parents, the district emphasized that immigration enforcement officials would not be granted immediate access to school campuses without a federal warrant.
While fears from Washington cast a long shadow over immigrant communities, local organizations and leaders are working to provide reassurance and resources.
Staff Writer Amie Windsor contributed reporting.
You can reach Tarini Mehta at 707-521-5337 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @MehtaTarini.