Migrant students are vanishing from classrooms in Orange County, Florida, as fears of ICE raids surge, leaving families in turmoil and schools facing a budget crisis. Recent reports reveal that enrollment in Orange County Public Schools has plummeted by a staggering 7,000 students, with nearly half of those missing from immigrant backgrounds. This alarming trend is forcing parents to consider pulling their children from school to protect them from potential deportation.

One mother, who spoke with Fox 35 under the condition of anonymity, expressed her deep concern for her child’s safety amid increased ICE activity near schools. “It’s vital for my family to keep my child in school, but the fear is overwhelming,” she said, reflecting the anxiety gripping many immigrant families in the area.

The district had initially projected a loss of about 3,000 students this year, but the latest estimates have more than doubled, creating a ripple effect that threatens the very foundation of the school system. With fewer students in classrooms, the Orange County Public School District is now bracing for a staggering $28 million reduction in funding, with the potential for an additional $25 million loss looming if enrollment continues to decline.

In response to this crisis, school board members have announced a hiring freeze on instructional positions, and plans are underway to redistribute teachers to schools that remain operational. The district is set to meet next week to address the budget implications of this unprecedented drop in enrollment.

As the official numbers are expected to be released in October, the urgency of the situation continues to escalate, leaving families and educators on edge. The implications of these missing students extend far beyond the classroom, threatening the educational future of countless children and the stability of the district itself.