School Enrollment Drops as Hispanics Prepare for Law

PHOENIX - The immigration law hasn't taken effect yet, but some families who have members in the country illegally have already packed up and left.

Some heavily-Hispanic schools are preparing to see fewer kids in the classrooms this upcoming school year.

Baltz School District in Phoenix says they've seen at least 100 students pull out of school since the bill was signed into law. And Paradise Valley School District says they're also expecting to see fewer students in the halls this fall.

Simon Lopez is worried he'll have to say goodbye to his classmates and move to Mexico.

"I talked to my friends about it... they don't want me to move at all, I know that," says Simon, who plays football and earns good grades. His mother is not a U.S. citizen, although she is working on attaining citizenship.

"A police officer might come up to her and ask her for her papers, and it makes me really worried," says Simon.

Genesis Alaniz is worrying about her similar situation. She was born in the U.S., but her parents were not. She attends Paradise Valley High School.

"A good majority of the students are Hispanic and most are leaving by August. A good chunk will be gone," she says.

Genesis understands other kids' dilemmas. "They are citizens but their parents aren't and they don't have anywhere else to go."

Meanwhile, Simon's mother is working on becoming a legalized citizen, while fighting SB 1070 tooth and nail.

"She's been going to the capital and I'm proud of her," says Simon.

By his standards, Simon regards his mother as an American. "If you love this country then you're American and if you live here for most of your life then yes you are American."

If Genesis and Simon are forced to move to Mexico with their families, they'd have to gain Mexican citizenship to attend school there. That process is lengthy.