Congress Holds Hearing on Immigration Impact on Children
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), who serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, convened a hearing titled “Kidnappings and Disappearances: Trump’s Attacks on Our Children.” This event marks the seventh in a series focused on the traumatic experiences faced by children in the current immigration system.
“Today, I hosted the seventh hearing in my series ‘Kidnappings and Disappearances,’ emphasizing the untold trauma inflicted on children due to actions taken by President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security. In the first seven months of President Trump’s term, over 11,000 American children found themselves with a parent in custody. This translates to an alarming rate of 50 children impacted daily,” stated Jayapal. She highlighted the chilling incident involving 5-year-old Liam Ramos, a child whose plight garnered national attention, illustrating the distressing impact of immigration enforcement on families.
Neha Desai, Managing Director of Children’s Human Rights and Dignity at the National Youth Law Center, expressed her concern over the evolution of the treatment of migrant children over the past two decades. “I have witnessed how children in migrant custody have transitioned from a nearly invisible group with minimal legal safeguards to a target of political maneuvering, systematically stripping away their rights,” she explained. Desai pointed to Project 2025 as part of an intentional strategy to dismantle protections for vulnerable children living in poverty.
Marion (“Mickey”) Donovan Calouste, Legal Director of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, emphasized the importance of viewing unaccompanied minors as individuals deserving protection rather than political tools. “Unaccompanied children should not be utilized as bait or labeled as invaders. They are children, and it is vital that they receive the necessary safety and security instead of facing detention or deportation,” she affirmed.
Addressing the health implications of immigration enforcement, Dr. Tania Caballero, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, highlighted the consequences of separating children from their caregivers. “Denying children access to medical care can escalate routine pediatric issues into emergencies. Separating them from their primary sources of comfort heightens anxiety and stress, creating an environment where no amount of time in custody is safe for these vulnerable individuals,” she noted.
Educator Nicole Isern articulated the emotional toll that these experiences impose on families and communities. “Our students and their families are enduring intentional acts of terror and trauma. It is disheartening to witness a lack of checks and balances against a regime that targets ethnic minorities. The stories I hear are heartbreaking, and I hope sharing them today raises awareness to these critical issues,” she asserted.
Seventeen-year-old American citizen and student activist Manny shared his personal journey of overcoming fear to voice his community’s distress. “At 16, I never imagined I would attend a city council meeting. With support from my family and faith, I found the courage to advocate for my rights. Now, standing in this powerful building, I am compelled to share the pain our city faces and to seek assistance,” he remarked.
This latest hearing in Jayapal’s series continues to shine a light on the various dimensions of immigration oversight, covering subjects such as Trump’s policies in Minnesota, abuses in detention centers, family separations, unlawful deportations, and a broader effort to undermine due process. Jayapal was joined by several members of Congress, including Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Joaquín Castro (TX-20), and Judy Chu (CA-28), among others.
