Immigrant families in the United States rely on protective factors that keep their children safe and strong. Multilingualism, family cohesion, and cultural traditions can help mitigate or eliminate risks to health and well-being. However, the scale of the Trump administration’s attacks on immigrant families, especially Brown and Black families, are having a direct, harmful effect on children and their caregivers.
Immigration raids are a public health crisis in regions like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Minneapolis where violent and often-unlawful actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are keeping children from school, parents from work, and causing families to live in ongoing toxic stress. There are now six times the number of children in detention since Donald Trump took office.
“Witnessing harm to others and living in constant fear is traumatic to all children in the community. These stressors disrupt brain development and have long-term negative effects on the health and well-being of impacted children,” said Dr. Susan Kressly and Dr. Michelle Barnes of the American Academy of Pediatrics in November 2025.
Mental health resources for immigrant families and children are available. Children and youth outside of immigrant families may also be facing fear and stress due to ICE activity. All children and youth witnessing immigration actions can benefit from these resources.
Resources for children, youth & families for coping with the terror and uncertainty of immigration raids
Coping in Times of Uncertainty
Boston Children’s Hospital
“These resources provide youth and caregivers with psychoeducation regarding signs and symptoms of distress as well as tangible strategies for support during stressful times.” Documents are available in English, Dari, Haitian Creole, and Spanish.
Family Resources on Violence
Sesame Workshop
From the makers of Sesame Street: “Whether children are directly or indirectly exposed to violent events, there are ways to help them feel safer and more secure.”
Mental & Emotional Health Resource for the Community
Corazon Norte
“Free, downloadable toolkit featuring an Emotional Self-Preservation Guide to support you and your wellness through political and policy changes impacting the communities you serve.”
Supporting Children After a Parent’s Deportation or Detention
Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
“When our communities experience violence and fear, children and the adults who care for them carry that weight.” Resources in English, Spanish, Somali, Haitian Creole, Pashto, Dari, Portuguese, Karen, Hmong, and Ukrainian.
Talking to Kids about Immigration Enforcement in their Communities
Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
“A clinical psychologist shares tips for caregivers on how to help kids navigate stress related to immigration enforcement.”
When Children Are Afraid of a Parent’s Deportation
Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
“Created by infant and child mental health professionals… in response to questions from community members about what adults can do to support children who are afraid of… loved ones being deported.”
Resources in English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Somali, Karen, and Portuguese.
Research and commentary on the harmful effects of immigration raids on children’s health
American Academy of Pediatrics: Children are bearing consequences of immigration enforcement actions
“Some parents are too afraid to send their children to school…. Isolation like this contributes to toxic stress — it makes it difficult to concentrate, to learn and to feel safe in the very environments where children should thrive.”
USA Today op-ed: We’re pediatricians. We see how ICE is harming children.
“Current immigration enforcement actions deprive children in immigrant families and their neighbors of a sense of safety – an essential pillar of a young child’s growth and development.”
The Marshall Project: ‘Why Is This Happening to Us?’ Daily Number of Kids in ICE Detention Jumps 6x Under Trump
“The Marshall Project’s analysis found that on some days, ICE held 400 children or more.”
Children Thrive Action Network: Stop Terrorizing our Kids: How Immigration Agents are Harming Children and What Policymakers Can Do to Stop It
“Our brief [shares] how children have been harmed by immigration actions and calls on Congress to reject additional funding for Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).”
More: “A Child Is A Child: Children in Immigrant Families Health Fact Sheet” from The Children’s Partnership
