In a report published August 26, families and community organizations in Washington, D.C. expressed fear regarding the presence of federal agents and National Guard members near schools. Protesters gathered on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in front of Wheatley campus in the Trinidad neighborhood to demand that agents avoid school zones.
The protest was supported by Free D.C., which stated that federal agent presence has increased in neighborhoods such as Anacostia and Trinidad. Jamie Ferrel, a vice president of a school community organization, reported seeing an increase in National Guard, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents patrolling near schools and playgrounds. Ferrel noted that seeing armed troops during recess is terrifying for children and immigrant families.
The presence of law enforcement has had emotional impacts on students. One mother told N+ Univision DC reporter Thalía Varelas that after her husband was detained by ICE for four months, her daughter began reacting with fear whenever she saw uniformed officers. This daughter previously stopped attending school for two months following the detention. Another mother at the protest said families are afraid to even take their children to school because they fear being separated.
Official data from the District of Columbia shows that Hispanic and Latino student enrollment decreased by more than 400 students during the 2025-2026 school year. While the data does not establish a direct cause, Keya Chatterjee, executive director of Free D.C., stated that nearly 7 out of every 1,000 U.S. citizen children have been affected by the detention of at least one parent, a rate she called one of the highest in the country.
The White House has defended the deployment of the National Guard, stating the operation has produced security results. According to White House figures, the first year of the operation included over 16,000 detentions, 35 homicide suspect incarcerations, and more than 100 gang members removed from the streets. Meanwhile, D.C. Councilman Zachary Parker said the local government is taking actions such as approving legislation and requesting that governors withdraw troops to address these concerns.
