Day Without Immigrants protests lead to drop in school attendance in Merced County districts
School districts across Merced County reported low attendance early this week, attributed to protests and concerns over immigration policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.
On Monday, hundreds of people marched through Merced’s streets as part of “A Day Without Immigrants,” demanding immigration reform and protections for undocumented workers. The protest urged immigrants to stay home from work and school, close their businesses and refrain from shopping.
In the Merced City and Los Banos Unified school districts, about 23% of students were reported absent Monday.
“The Day Without Immigrants protest had a major impact on our school operations. Student attendance was down significantly as many chose to participate in the activity. Los Banos Unified School District respects and supports the right to peaceful protest,” Mark Marshall, superintendent of Los Banos Unified School District, said in a statement.
Richard Lopez, superintendent of the Merced River School District, noted that similar trends were seen countywide, with absence rates ranging from 20% to 35% across various school districts Monday. Attendance returned to normal levels on Tuesday and Wednesday, he added.
Dos Palos Oro Loma School District also reported a decline in attendance Monday, with numbers returning to typical levels later in the week. Despite the temporary dip, the district stated that overall attendance rates this year have been higher than last year through January.
“The district is committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all students and staff,” the DPOLSD wrote in a statement. “All students have a right to attend public school and receive an education, irrespective of their immigration status. The District will continue to collaborate with our community to address any concerns and provide resources to support students and families as needed.”
This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Day Without Immigrants protests lead to drop in school attendance in Merced County districts."
