Why Families Migrate: Education as the Currency of Love

For many immigrant parents, migration is not only about economic survival but about love and sacrifice. At a recent national briefing hosted by American Community Media, Harvard University professor Gabrielle Oliveira shared insights from her research on immigrant families and their deep faith in education as the “currency of love.” Through her studies of migrant parents and children, Oliveira has found that schooling is far more than a path to success. It is a way for families to make sense of hardship and to believe that their struggles can lead to a more stable and dignified life.

Oliveira, who teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, explained that her work explores how parents see their children’s education as the ultimate expression of care. “Parents told me they left their homes so their children could sit in classrooms, read books, and learn without fear,” she said. “Seeing their child in school makes the sacrifice meaningful.”

The Emotional Reality Behind Migration

Oliveira challenges the limited narrative that migration is only about poverty or opportunity. She believes that the human story is much deeper. “When we talk about migration, we often forget that people are whole human beings with hopes and dreams,” she said. “Education becomes the place where parents show love and where families try to rebuild their sense of belonging.”

She described how schools become the center of emotional life for many families. A classroom can either offer safety and inclusion or intensify fear and exclusion. “When a five-year-old goes to school worried that their parents might not be home at the end of the day, learning becomes very difficult,” Oliveira explained. “Teachers must understand that fear in order to support their students.”

Living Through Multiple Disruptions

Oliveira began her research during the Trump administration, when many migrant families were separated or detained. Those experiences, she said, continue to affect them years later. “Migration is not one single event,” she said. “It is a series of disruptions. Families leave their home because of hardship, face separation at the border, struggle through the pandemic, and now live under constant fear of surveillance.”

Even in those conditions, Oliveira found that most parents remain strong and hopeful. “Their resilience is extraordinary,” she said. “They continue to believe that education will be the bridge to safety and opportunity.”

The Human Cost of Policy

Oliveira also addressed how U.S. policies often overlook the impact of enforcement on children. She spoke about a recent case involving a young honor student who was deported to Guatemala with her mother, who later died due to lack of medical care. “We do not make immigration policy with children’s well-being in mind,” she said. “Instead, the system often inflicts lasting trauma on young people who deserve stability and care.”

She warned that these policies carry long-term consequences. “When children lose trust in their schools or their country, it affects the entire fabric of society,” she said. “They stop feeling that they belong, and that loss of belonging can shape an entire generation.”

What Schools Can Do

When asked what educators can do, Oliveira emphasized the importance of relationships. “Teachers cannot fix every problem,” she said, “but they can make students feel seen.” She encouraged educators to listen when children share personal stories rather than avoiding them out of fear. “Listening shows care,” she said. “It creates the trust that every child needs to learn.”

She urged schools to form teams that include teachers, social workers, counselors, and psychologists to support immigrant students. She also highlighted the lack of bilingual staff in many schools, which makes communication with families difficult. “One in four children in this country has at least one immigrant parent,” Oliveira noted. “If schools cannot communicate with those parents, students lose the support they need.”

Overcoming Fear and Building Trust

In today’s climate, fear continues to shape the daily lives of immigrant families. Oliveira said that some parents keep their children at home or ask for online classes because they worry about being stopped or detained on the way to school. “We are still recovering from the learning losses of the pandemic,” she said. “Every day missed widens the gap.” She encouraged districts to work closely with parents to rebuild confidence and show that schools are safe spaces for all children.

Oliveira also commented on the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the country. “When schools eliminate DEI offices, they lose not just programs but the people who connect families, train teachers, and create belonging,” she said. “Without them, educators are left to manage on their own, often without the tools they need.”

The Future That Immigrant Children Shape

Oliveira reminded participants that immigrant children are not only students but essential contributors to the nation’s future. “The strength and competitiveness of this country depend on immigrant labor and the education of their children,” she said. “Failing to educate them today will cost the nation far more tomorrow.”

To her, migration is an act of faith and endurance. “When parents migrate,” Oliveira concluded, “they are saying to their children: your future matters more than our comfort. Education is the currency of love that transforms suffering into purpose.”

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Por Qué Migran las Familias: La Educación como Moneda de Amor

Para muchos padres inmigrantes, la migración no se trata solo de sobrevivir económicamente sino de amor, fe y sacrificio. En una conferencia nacional organizada por American Community Media, la profesora de Harvard Gabrielle Oliveira compartió su visión sobre cómo las familias ven la educación como la “moneda del amor”, una forma de transformar el dolor en esperanza.

Oliveira, quien enseña en la Escuela de Educación de Harvard, explicó que su investigación con familias migrantes en Estados Unidos y América Latina muestra que la escuela representa mucho más que progreso académico. Es el símbolo de seguridad y de fe en un futuro mejor. “Los padres me decían que dejaron su país para que sus hijos pudieran estudiar, leer y aprender sin miedo,” comentó. “Ver a sus hijos en una aula hace que el sacrificio tenga sentido.”

El Lado Emocional de la Migración

Oliveira desafía la narrativa simplista que presenta la migración como una búsqueda de trabajo o dinero. Según ella, el motivo más profundo es el deseo de dar amor y estabilidad. “Las familias no son solo estadísticas,” dijo. “Son seres humanos con sueños, que ven la educación como la manera más clara de cuidar y proteger a sus hijos.”

Las aulas, explicó, son lugares donde las familias reconstruyen identidad y confianza. “Cuando un niño asiste a clases con miedo de que sus padres no estén en casa al regresar, es difícil que pueda aprender,” señaló. “Los maestros deben reconocer ese miedo para poder acompañarlos.”

Viviendo en Medio de Rupturas

Su investigación comenzó durante la presidencia de Donald Trump, cuando miles de familias fueron detenidas o separadas. “La migración no es un solo evento,” explicó Oliveira. “Es una serie de rupturas: dejar el hogar, cruzar la frontera, vivir una pandemia y enfrentar el miedo constante de ser vigilado.”

A pesar de todo, encontró esperanza en las familias. “Son increíblemente resistentes,” afirmó. “Aun con miedo, siguen creyendo que la educación es el puente hacia la seguridad y la dignidad.”

El Costo Humano de las Políticas

Oliveira advirtió que las políticas migratorias suelen ignorar el bienestar de los niños. “Cuando se hacen leyes sin pensar en ellos, el daño se multiplica,” dijo. “Les quitamos la confianza en las instituciones y en su sentido de pertenencia.”

Lo Que Pueden Hacer las Escuelas

Al hablar sobre el papel de los educadores, Oliveira insistió en la importancia de construir relaciones humanas. “Los maestros no pueden resolver todos los problemas, pero sí pueden ver a cada estudiante como una persona completa,” dijo. “Escuchar sus historias demuestra respeto y cuidado.”

Pidió también que las escuelas tengan más personal bilingüe y equipos de apoyo que incluyan consejeros y trabajadores sociales. “Uno de cada cuatro niños en este país tiene al menos un padre inmigrante,” recordó. “La comunicación con las familias no es un lujo, es una necesidad.”

Superar el Miedo y Recuperar la Confianza

La profesora señaló que muchas familias temen enviar a sus hijos a clases presenciales y prefieren mantenerlos en casa. “Todavía no hemos recuperado los niveles académicos anteriores al COVID,” dijo. “Cada día fuera de la escuela agranda esa brecha.” Por eso instó a los distritos escolares a dialogar con las familias y garantizar espacios seguros.

También lamentó la desaparición de programas de diversidad e inclusión. “Cuando esas oficinas cierran, se pierde la conexión con las comunidades y los recursos que ayudaban a los maestros a incluir a todos los estudiantes,” comentó.

El Futuro en Manos de los Hijos de Inmigrantes

Para Oliveira, el futuro del país depende de cómo se apoye a los hijos de los inmigrantes. “El crecimiento de Estados Unidos está ligado a su educación,” afirmó. “Si los excluimos hoy, pagaremos un precio más alto mañana.”

En su conclusión, expresó que migrar es un acto de fe. “Cuando una familia cruza fronteras, le está diciendo a sus hijos: tu futuro vale más que nuestro miedo,” dijo. “La educación es la moneda del amor que convierte el sufrimiento en propósito.”

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