Declining enrollment in English as a Second Language programs are growing at Elgin Community College, as educators point to fear surrounding immigration enforcement as a factor affecting participation and attendance.

ESL programs are designed to help non-native English speakers improve language skills needed for education, employment and daily communication. 

“We had been seeing a steady climb back since the pandemic in our enrollment,” said Peggy Heinrich, ECC’s President; “It dipped heavily down into the 300s during the pandemic and had been climbing, climbing, climbing back into the 1,8oos in the Spring of 2025.”  

ESL students declined to be interviewed.

“We had this drop of over 40% of the enrollment, over 700 students dropped from the ESL program all in that short duration of time.”

A student at Elgin Community College was detained by federal immigration authorities on Sept. 18, 2025, according to statements released by the college and multiple news reports. 

The detention drew reactions from students, faculty members, immigrant advocacy groups, and elected officials. 

“Students are experiencing a sense of fear, whether their status is undocumented, mixed status, whether they have US born children—there’s a sense of fear to leave your home or take public transportation when we have an immigration enforcement activity happening locally,” Heinrich said. 

Illinois House Bill 1312 is an Illinois law focused on immigration enforcement, civil rights protections, having access to public spaces such as schools, hospitals, and colleges. 

“Our policies at ECC were largely aligned with that law before the law came out,” Heinrich said, “It was a result of the ice detainment incident on campus in September, which caused us to take a step back and say, ‘What is our response?’ 

The bill became widely discussed according to Branson, as it expands protections for immigrants and creates new legal consequences for immigration officers who violate constitutional rights during enforcement actions.

“Sometimes students are afraid because they do not know what could happen or who they can talk to. Having more support, workshops, and clear communication can help students feel more comfortable on campus,” Heinrich said. 

Faculty and student support staff often emphasize that community colleges are educational institutions focused on serving students regardless of background. Still, immigration-related fears can influence motivation and participation, especially for students who may come from mixed-status households or uncertain legal situations.

The pervasive climate of fear regarding immigration enforcement has a direct and chilling effect on student engagement. For many in the ESL program, the decision to attend class is not only about academic progress; it’s a weight against the perceived risk of being targeted. 

Anxiety often leads to increased absenteeism and a decrease in classroom participation according to Heinrich, as students may prioritize physical safety and remaining unnoticed over their educational goals.

When enrollment drops due to fear, the community loses out on the contributions of residents who are otherwise eager to improve their skills and support their families through higher education and better employment opportunities. Beyond language acquisition, ESL programs serve as vital hubs for community integration and economic mobility. According to Heinrich, providing non-native speakers with the tools to navigate the workforce and daily civic life strengthens their social fabric. 

In response to these challenges and the specific detention incident on campus, ECC has doubled down on its commitment to student safety by strictly adhering to the protections outlined in Illinois House Bill 1312. By formalizing policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities in sensitive areas and emphasizing the college as a protected space for learning, ECC aims to rebuild trust. These efforts are designed to reassure students that the institution remains a secure environment where their pursuit of education is prioritized above all else.

“I don’t know if there have been outreach efforts within the department to some degree,” Heinrich said, “but you have to think about the hierarchy of needs, when even basic safety is an issue for students.”