Student absences at schools in the New Orleans region spiked last week as U.S. Border Patrol agents launched sweeps in the area , with teachers saying that some parents in immigrant communities are keeping kids home out of fear of what might happen if they venture out.

In the Jefferson Parish school system, which educates more Hispanic students than any other Louisiana district, attendance fell at most schools with large shares of students still learning English — a group that includes many immigrants. Data from the first half of last week provided by the district showed that 16 of the 20 schools with the most English learners had attendance rates below that of the broader district, and students and teachers said absences appeared to be higher on Thursday and Friday, after sweeps began.

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