As students return to school across Massachusetts, concerns about immigration enforcement linger for some immigrant families.

Psychotherapist Michael Burroughs said those fears have created hesitation: “Safety is crucial… I’m afraid parents won’t let their children go to school and out of fear that they might go missing.”

Burroughs added hat a lack of security can interfere with learning.

“If you don’t feel safe, it’s really hard to think clearly, to study, to just think,” he said.

Similar concerns exist in Milford, where high school student Marcelo Gomes da Silva was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in May while heading to volleyball practice. Though he was released a week later, the case created a ripple effect on other districts.

The case of Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, an 18-year-old high school student from Milford, Mass., has raised questions about how sustainable immigration

In New Bedford, the school committee voted this month to make its schools an “ICE safe zone,” allowing the superintendent to create a rapid response team, hold “know your rights” sessions and ensure safe transportation for students.

But not all officials believe such guarantees are realistic.

“We’ve got 13,000 students in this district,” noted School Committee member Bruce Oliveira. “That’s a promise we couldn’t keep. That’s what I meant.”

In Chelsea, Superintendent Almi Albeyta said her district follows state guidance from the attorney general.

“Should anyone ask for a child, for example if ICE comes and asks, we have protocols in place. Administrators know that they need to contact the superintendent’s office and that they have to have a legal permission to be at the school,” she said.

Milford has not designated itself a “safe zone.” Instead, Superintendent of Schools Craig Consigli reassured families in a statement:

Our school district supports families in any way that we can. If families have concerns or questions, we try to help them. We have great community partnerships with many different agencies and local businesses that we connect families to when there is a need. The Milford Community is very supportive of the schools and prides itself in ensuring all students have what they need to thrive.

Burroughs believes even a public gesture of support goes a long way.

“Let’s affirm in a public statement… that we care about you, you are safe here,” he said.

ICE does have legal authority to be in public spaces of school property, but districts like Worcester have also adopted resolutions like in New Bedford limiting cooperation with ICE inside schools, assuring families student information isn’t shared and demand agents show a criminal warrant before allowing them into classrooms.