for Chalkbeat: As Trump’s deportation campaign grows, a Bronx school and undocumented teen face tough choices by José A. Alvarado Jr.

News

for Chalkbeat: As Trump’s deportation campaign grows, a Bronx school and undocumented teen face tough choices

josé a. alvarado jr.

Sep 17, 2025

Fifty students stood in front of the White House, with its manicured lawn and billowing American flag. They hailed from countries like Ecuador, Nicaragua, Senegal, and Mali. They spoke Spanish, French, Pulaar, and English. Some wore hijabs.

Like other tourists on that April day, the students on a field trip with their Bronx high school posed for a group photo.

Several asked if President Donald Trump was inside. One had told an English teacher before the trip that he wanted to ask Trump why he was so anti-immigrant. Others joked, “Trump is gonna get you,” not knowing the president’s mass deportation campaign would soon sweep up one of their classmates.

Photographed for Chalkbeat, with words by Michael Elsen-Rooney

'The goal is to survive': NYC school for immigrants faces an uncertain future under Trump
Normally, in the final month of school, students at ELLIS Prep worried about moving to the next grade or graduating. This year, they wondered: âIs a masked person going to grab me off the street?â
Chalkbeat.org

José A. Alvarado Jr.

Also by José A. Alvarado Jr. —

for Chalkbeat:At a Bronx school for immigrants, an undocumented teen fights for an education under Trump

for Chalkbeat: Their student was detained by ICE. Now this Bronx school is rallying to get him back.

for The New York Times: 13 Law Enforcement Unions Endorse Eric Adams in N.Y.C. Mayor’s Race

for The New York Times: They Cleaned Subways During Covid. Now They’ll Get Millions in Back Pay.

for The New York Times: How a Plan for Reparations Became a Debt Trap for Marijuana Retailers

for The New York Times: New York Prisons Accused of Defying Judge on Solitary Confinement

for The New York Times: Where You Can Stumble Upon a U.S. Open Match

for NPR: Inside the lab working to identify the remains of 9/11 victims

for NPR: 'It's such a dream': Top high school performers step out on Broadway

for NPR: Los Tigres del Norte share the pride of selling out Madison Square Garden with its fans

for The Minnesota Star Tribune: A Columbia professor’s warning for the University of Minnesota

for The New York Times: Columbia Concedes to Trump

for The New York Times: ICE Can’t Enter Rikers for Now, Judge Rules

for The New York Times: Outside Official Will Take Over Deadly Rikers Island Jail, Judge Orders

for The New York Times: Officer Pleads Guilty in Fatal Beating of Prisoner Seen on Camera

for Bloomberg: New York’s Selective Return to Office Is a Problem

for Bloomberg: Caribbean Worried About Impact of Fines on China-Made Vessels

for Bloomberg Law: Blue Owl’s Legal Chief Surges to Top-Paid Among Asset Managers

for Bloomberg: NYC Office Buildings See Resurgence as Investors Pile Into Bonds

for Bloomberg: KKR Veteran Joins Blue Owl to Lead Global Family Office Push

for Bloomberg: JPMorgan’s Former ‘Punch Card’ Building Unveils $10,000 Rentals

for NPR: This Harlem pastor fights mental health stigma — and shares his own struggles

for NPR: This Black church is facing the teen mental health crisis head on

for The New York Times: A Black Studies Curriculum Is (Defiantly) Rolling Out in New York City