"We have been in crisis mode-mangement mode, trying to help our children get over this," Principal Bill Lawrence told the Press Register. "They 're afraid."
In Birmingham, Alabama, A federal judge up held key parts of the new immigration law, including the provision requiring public schools to verify the citizenship of students.
By September 29, parents began withdrawing their children. In Decatur, school officials said 32 students withdrew from school and many others didn't attend. Seven Hispanic students withdrew from Austinville Elementary. Parents, students and the principal were crying [Christian Science Monitor]
"It's tough because you get to know the children and their families.... I wish that they would wait and see what happens before they leave us." Austinville Principal Beth Hales
All across Alabama, newspapers are carrying stories of students withdrawing from schools.
Beginning October 6, 2011, authorities can question people suspected of being in the country illegally and hold them without bond. Officials can also check the immigration status of students in public schools.These two aspects of of Alabama's new law were upheld by a federal judge Sharon Blackburn on Wednesday.
Parts of the law that were blocked:
- Bar drivers from stopping along a road to hire tempory workers.
- Prevent businesses from taking a tax deduction for wages paid to workers who are in the country illegally.
- Make it a crime for an illegal to solicit work.
- Make it a crime to transport or harbor an illegal immigrant.
There are three separate lawsuits against the Alabama Law, including a challenge from President Barack Obama's Administration. The ruling is expected to be appealed.
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