D.C. school applications fall amid deportation fears and federal layoffs | The Washington Post

April 16, 2026

D.C. Policy Center

On April 12, 2026, Deputy Director Chelsea Coffin was quoted in The Washington Post:

“We’re starting to see signs of increased stress in English learner family communities experiencing more risks of deportation or being hassled on the way to school,” Chelsea Coffin, who leads education research at the D.C. Policy Center, said.

Additional reading: State of D.C. Schools, 2024-25: Forward momentum

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D.C. Policy Center

Established in 2016, the D.C. Policy Center is a non-partisan research and policy organization committed to advancing policies for a strong and vibrant economy in the District of Columbia. Through rigorous research and collaboration, the D.C. Policy Center develops and tests policy ideas, disseminates its findings, and engages in constructive dialogue and debate.

For more information, please see our About page.

D.C. school applications fall amid deportation fears and federal layoffs | The Washington Post

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D.C. Policy Center

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