The number of new immigrant students enrolling in California schools has fallen sharply over the past two years, EdSource reports, following an abrupt drop in border crossings in early 2025 amid changes in federal immigration policy.
In Oakland Unified, more than 1,300 new students arrived from other countries each year from 2017-18 to 2024-25, apart from the pandemic year.
That fell to 498 in 2025-26 and to 212 this year as of Oct. 7. The district now offers newcomer programs at six middle and high schools, down from 17.
Los Angeles Unified’s newcomer count fell from 20,755 in 2024-25 to 11,103 this year.
San Juan Unified, near Sacramento, saw a smaller drop of about 13.6%, which a district spokesperson linked partly to families arriving as refugees or through the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program.
“Newcomers” are students in their first three years in the U.S.; EdSource does not report their immigration status.
Because districts are funded by enrollment, fewer students means less money. “It does make visible how much newcomers were helping us stay afloat,” said Oakland’s Nicole Knight.
Advocates expect a steeper decline as current students age out. “We’re about to reach a cliff,” said Sam Finn of the California Newcomer Network.
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