In January, the Trump administration announced other new immigration policies. These policies now mandate that custodians of unaccompanied minors show documentation of their own income sources, U.S. identification, and even DNA tests. This controversial move reintroduces the toxic family separation crisis associated with the last administration’s practices. Known simply as “COVID,” pediatricians and mental health professionals have been sounding the alarm on the intense psychological impact it will take on children.
Advocates cautioned that these new measures create emotional scars that have followed young migrants long enough. A 2021 study found that family separations have long-term impact. These impacts can continue for weeks or months, resulting in harm even after families are reunited. Sadly, hundreds of parents are still unable to be reunited with their children. The administration has done an abysmal job of tracking most of the families it forcibly tore apart.
The consequences of these policies are alarming. As a result, nearly 2,350 children under the age of 18 — in some cases just 36 babies old — booked into immigration detention centers. Many families are facing heartbreaking separations. This is a reality that played out when, just a few months ago, immigration agents separated a son from his immigrant mother, leaving him in foster care. Attorney Mukherjee is helping her clients chart a course through the complexities of their predictable futures. Among them is a two-year-old and a seven-year-old.
It follows reports of threats and coercion by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) against civil detainees. They have made assurances of reunification if these people consent to deportation. ICE has further disturbingly transferred parents between detention centers without prior notice. This move not only makes their current communication with their children more difficult. One ICE officer even threatened to take children away from one another and their parents. This has led many to worry that this new tactic is being used as a punitive measure.
In 2018, the family separation crisis—whether you liked it or not—came into national attention. The graphic images of children being torn from their parents’ arms at the southern border shocked the Nation and fueled outrage. Some parents have had to come to the heart-wrenching conclusion to leave their children behind in the U.S. They don’t want to subject them to the further trauma of being moved around.
“I said I needed a lawyer, but they refused, telling me that nobody would want to help me.” – LW
People like LW are a testimony to the despair that these destructive policies bring about. For many—especially those represented by attorney Tricia McLaughlin—the future feels bleak. McLaughlin noted that ICE typically leaves that choice to the parents. They should have the choice of knowing whether they’re being removed with their kids or if they’d like their kid to be able to stay with a known safe person.
“Desperate and terrified of what might happen, I dropped to the ground and the officers let me go.” – LW
The emotional toll on families is evident. Parents are left with questions and anguish. Even still, they are overwhelmed with the emotional distress caused by the lack of communication from ICE officials regarding their children’s whereabouts and state. One parent, SP, voiced her frustration:
“I still do not understand … ICE officers have not explained anything to me.” – SP
One other mother shared that her son had told her he was going to a place in San Antonio. Hearing this news only caused her to feel anxious all the time about his safety and future.
“My child told me that ICE officers informed him they were going to take him ‘to a place in San Antonio.’” – SP
Muhammad was a father trying to make his way through this war-torn landscape, and he recounted his sorrowful stories of being torn from his children. He recalled his plea for a moment to say goodbye:
“I asked for a moment to say goodbye to my family, but the officer told me I would see them the following day, and not to worry.” – Muhammad
As family separations reemerge under these new policies, advocates like Faisal Al-Juburi highlight the punitive nature of these practices:
“I feel like I am alone and nothing of my future is within my control.” – Muhammad
He reminisced about simpler times:
“I miss the days that I would take [my children] out for ice-cream and walk through the park.” – Muhammad
Describing his journey, he stated:
“We have traveled far in search of safety.” – Muhammad
The parents’ determination underscores their belief in the American dream.
“I believe that the US is the safest place to raise my family and provide them with all that they deserve and need.” – Muhammad
As family separations reemerge under these new policies, advocates like Faisal Al-Juburi highlight the punitive nature of these practices:
“We’re seeing separation being used as a punitive measure.” – Faisal Al-Juburi