More than 1.45 lakh American children have reportedly experienced separation from parents detained under former US President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, according to a new study by the Brookings Institution.
The report highlights the growing human impact of immigration detention and deportation policies as immigration enforcement continues to remain central to Trump’s political agenda.
Thousands of children reportedly affected
According to the research, nearly 4 lakh people have been booked into detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement since the beginning of Trump’s presidency.
The study estimated that around 22,000 US citizen children were left without either parent at home due to detention, while only a small percentage reportedly received assistance through the child welfare system.
Researchers said over 53,000 affected children were below the age of six, while thousands of others belonged to the 6–17 age group.
Many of the detained parents were reportedly from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Researchers warn of long-term trauma
The report stated that even short separations from parents can deeply affect children emotionally and psychologically. Researchers argued that prolonged detention and deportation policies could impact hundreds of thousands more children if enforcement intensifies further.
7
Immigration policy remains major political issue
The findings come amid renewed debates in the United States over immigration, border security and deportation policies.
The report also pointed to proposed funding increases for detention centres and deportation infrastructure, which could expand immigration enforcement operations further in the coming years.
The issue continues to remain politically sensitive, with critics warning about humanitarian consequences while supporters argue stricter enforcement is necessary for border control