In recent weeks, the United States has witnessed a series of high-profile detentions of children and families by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sparking a wave of concern, outrage, and calls for reform from advocates, officials, and loved ones alike. The cases, spanning from New York City to the US-Canada border, have cast a spotlight on the human toll of current immigration enforcement practices—especially on the youngest and most vulnerable.
On August 16, 2025, a 7-year-old girl, a student at Public School 89 in Queens, New York, was detained by ICE along with her immediate family, according to reporting by WPIX. The girl and her mother were transferred to a detention center in Texas, while her 19-year-old brother remained in ICE custody in New Jersey. The family’s ordeal began after the mother, who had entered the U.S. from Ecuador in 2022, was apprehended. This incident marks the first known ICE arrest of a New York City child under 18, according to Queens City Councilman Shekat Krishnan. In a statement to WPIX, Krishnan did not mince words: "It is disgusting that a child would be taken into ICE detention this way. She should be with her mom, getting ready for school in a couple of weeks. She should be buying school supplies."
The detainment of children is not confined to New York. Just days earlier, a young Kiwi mother, Sarah Shaw, and her 6-year-old son Isaac were released from ICE custody after spending three harrowing weeks detained at the US-Canada border. According to 1News, Shaw and her son were apprehended on July 24, 2025, after an administrative error with her immigration documents. Shaw, who had lived in the U.S. for three years and worked at a juvenile care facility in Washington state, was returning from Vancouver after dropping off her older children. She and Isaac were detained at the border, transported in an unmarked white van, and eventually held in a South Texas facility—one of only two in the country that house families together.
Describing the ordeal, a friend recounted to 1News how Shaw was "absolutely terrified" upon being detained, initially fearing she was being kidnapped. The conditions inside the detention facility were described as "very similar to a prison," with Shaw and Isaac sharing a locked room with five bunk beds and four other families. As one of the few English-speaking families, isolation compounded their distress. Shaw’s lawyer, Minda Thorward, explained that the incident stemmed from an "administrative error" with her temporary immigration document. After their release, Shaw issued a statement through her lawyer’s office: "Sarah is glad that she and Isaac have both been released from detention and grateful for the outpouring of community support. However, she would like some time to herself to focus on her family and returning to their daily routines."
Meanwhile, another family’s plight unfolded in Lower Manhattan. On August 13, 2025, ICE agents detained Martha, her 6-year-old daughter Dayra, and her 19-year-old son Manuel following what was supposed to be a routine immigration hearing, as reported by CBS News New York. Martha and Dayra were sent to the Dilley, Texas detention center, while Manuel was transferred to New Jersey. The family, who fled violence in Ecuador in December 2022, had received final orders of removal from an immigration judge, according to a statement from Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. The family’s loved ones, left behind in Queens, described the emotional devastation wrought by the separation. One of Martha’s sons told CBS News New York, "I feel destroyed," and shared that his mother admitted to being afraid of going to court. Martha’s boyfriend, speaking of her fears, said she was "afraid of being deported and of the gangs and danger back in Ecuador."
Advocates have been quick to highlight the psychological and emotional consequences of family separation. Mariposa Benitez, founder of the grassroots organization Mi Tlalli and a licensed clinical social worker, emphasized the long-term trauma: "The impact of family separation on their mental health is something that they will not be able to recover from in many years to come." Efforts to secure the release and reunion of Martha’s family were already underway as of the time of reporting.
These cases have not gone unnoticed by public officials and institutions. The New York Attorney General, Letitia James, condemned the detentions on social media, stating, "This administration is ripping families apart. It’s cruel, inhumane, and wrong." New York City Public Schools also issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to supporting all students and families: "New York City Public Schools stands with all of our students, and we are committed to supporting every child and family in our system. When we hear about a family that is being detained, we have – with their permission – connected them with community and agency partners who can offer legal support and other resources. We want to reassure all families: our schools are safe, welcoming places, and we encourage you to continue sending your children to school, where they are cared for and valued."
The recent uptick in detentions comes amid intensified immigration enforcement efforts under President Donald Trump’s administration. According to 1News, these policies have led to the detention of individuals who would not have been targeted under previous administrations, increasing the likelihood that families—and children—are caught in the system. The Department of Homeland Security, for its part, has maintained that individuals like Martha and her children had "received final orders of removal from an immigration judge" and that their entry into the U.S. was unlawful.
Yet, for many on the ground, the legal justifications do little to blunt the anguish and uncertainty. Family members, educators, and advocates alike are left grappling with the consequences—emotional, psychological, and practical—of separating children from their parents, often without warning or clear timelines for reunification. The fear of deportation, especially for those fleeing violence or instability in their home countries, hangs heavy over those still in custody and their relatives outside.
Calls for change are growing louder. Community organizations, legal advocates, and elected officials are urging a reevaluation of policies that allow for the detention of children and the separation of families. They argue that, regardless of immigration status, children deserve stability, safety, and the chance to continue their education without the looming threat of detention. As Councilman Krishnan put it, "She should be with her mom, getting ready for school in a couple of weeks. She should be buying school supplies."
For now, the fates of many detained children and their families remain uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the debate over immigration enforcement—and its impact on families—shows no sign of fading from the national stage.
