Alarm grows: More than 6,200 children detained by ICE and warnings of severe psychological damage
Posted on 04/08/26 at 13:40
- Number of migrant children detained by ICE rises sharply
- Conditions in centers criticized
- Warnings of psychological harm
The tightening of immigration policy in the United States is raising alarms once again, this time due to its direct impact on migrant children.
New data analyzed by The Marshall Project reveal a significant increase in the detention of minors during President Donald Trump’s second term, reigniting debate over the human consequences of these measures.
- Why it matters: The rise in migrant child detention not only reflects a shift in immigration strategy, but also raises urgent concerns about their physical and mental well-being, as well as compliance with international legal standards.
ICE detention of migrant children rises sharply
The figures show a clear shift.
More than 6,200 children have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since the start of Trump’s second term.
The contrast is notable: during the final year of Joe Biden’s administration, the daily average of detained minors was just 24.
With Trump’s return and the reactivation of family detention, that number rose to 226 minors per day, nearly ten times higher.
This increase has been interpreted by civil organizations as a direct reflection of more restrictive immigration policies.
Conditions in detention centers draw criticism
Criticism is not limited to the number of detained minors, but also to the conditions in which they are held.
Collected testimonies describe deficiencies in medical care, limited access to education, and issues with food quality.
“All Americans should be appalled that we are incarcerating thousands of children,” warned Leecia Welch, legal advisor for the organization Children’s Rights. “This creates an incredible amount of trauma.”
Complaints intensify in specific facilities such as the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas.
In court documents, families reported finding “worms and mold in the food,” as well as unsafe water.
One parent even stated: “Babies are losing weight because they can barely eat.”
Psychological impact and effects on child health
The impact of these ICE detentions of migrant children goes beyond physical confinement.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has warned that even short periods in custody can cause lasting effects on children’s mental health.
Documented cases include episodes of anxiety, developmental regression—such as children wetting the bed again—and even attempts at self-harm.
Additionally, the length of detention is another critical issue.
Although the “Flores” settlement sets a 20-day limit for minors, more than 1,600 children have remained in custody for longer periods.
Government rejects accusations, but pressure grows
The federal government has rejected the allegations.
In court filings, authorities state there is no evidence of contaminated food and maintain that medical care meets established standards.
An ICE spokesperson even stated that “being detained is a choice,” referring to self-deportation programs promoted by the administration.
However, immigration lawyers and civil organizations question this stance, arguing that many families make decisions under pressure and without sufficient information.
Migrant children deportations and long-term consequences
The impact does not end with release or transfer. More than 3,600 children have been deported since the beginning of Trump’s second term, many without sufficient prior notice, forcing families to reorganize their lives under difficult conditions.
For experts like Elora Mukherjee of Columbia University, the issue is structural.
“This constitutes cruelty against children,” she said. “It reflects a system where the most vulnerable are paying the cost of political decisions.”
In the political arena, strong criticism has also emerged.
“The Trump administration’s cruel mass deportation campaign is taking away childhoods and inflicting trauma that these young people will carry for life. It is unjust and must end,” said Democrat Joaquín Castro in response to the analysis of the recently published detention data.
What’s next: possible changes in immigration policy
The future of these policies remains uncertain.
The Trump administration seeks to expand family detention capacity while also attempting to eliminate the Flores agreement, which could allow the indefinite detention of minors.
If implemented, these changes could significantly transform the U.S. immigration system and deepen the debate over legal and ethical limits in the treatment of migrant children.
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SOURCE: La Opinión
