Exposure to ICE Violence Threatens Children's Health and Future Wellbeing

"Dulcie and her family, who live in the Twin Cities metro, are afraid every day when they leave for work and school. "All of my friends are staying at home. No one comes out. It gets to me," said Dulcie, who declined to use her last name because she fears retribution from federal agents, who have been detaining citizens and legal immigrants."

"The nation's conscience has been shocked by high-profile incidents of federal immigration enforcement agents engaging children, including apprehending preschooler Liam Ramos on his way home from school. But the impact on children and their families extend beyond these viral incidents, affecting the lives of children and families broadly across race, immigration status and economic class in the Twin Cities."

Families in the Twin Cities live in daily fear as federal immigration agents increase enforcement and detain both undocumented people and some citizens or legal immigrants. Parents alter routines, driving relatives to work before dawn to avoid possible arrests. Many students stay home or use offered online options, while others attend in person despite anxiety and depression. High-profile incidents involving children, such as the apprehension of preschooler Liam Ramos, have amplified trauma. The surge of roughly 2,300 federal agents has produced a widespread climate of fear across race, immigration status, and economic class.

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