abqjournal Albuquerque’s Highland High School saw a 15% drop in English language learner enrollment this year, a decline educators attribute to heightened immigration enforcement. Data from Albuquerque Public Schools shows 851 such students left the district during the 2025-26 school year, more than doubling the previous year's departures and leaving some students "straight up disappeared" due to deportation fears. Despite district policies barring federal agents from campuses and local legal protections like the Immigrant Safety Act, advocates warn the climate of fear may prevent the state from meeting its constitutional mandate to provide an equitable education to all children. ✍️: Natalie Robbins @natalierobbins 📸: Chancey Bush @chanceybush View all 120 comments