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Multilingual and immigrant students report fear, absenteeism; educator asks for clearer protections and resources
Summary
Rochester multilingual director told senators immigrant families are experiencing fear of separation and discrimination that contributes to absenteeism and bullying; witnesses pointed to existing federal and state legal protections and urged clearer local policies and support.
Natalia Benjamin, director of multilingual learning for Rochester Public Schools and 2021 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, told the Senate Education Policy Committee on Feb. 12 that immigrant and multilingual students are experiencing increased fear, harassment and absenteeism tied to immigration enforcement concerns and anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Benjamin said that fear of forced family separation, uncertainty about immigration status and racialized harassment have led some families to…
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