All Posts By

Sophia Sepp

Trump administration is deporting parents without their children in violation of its own policies, report finds

By | In the News

Trump administration is deporting parents without their children in violation of its own policies, report finds

Maanvi Singh, The Guardian (March 19, 2026)

The Trump administration is deporting parents without asking about or making arrangements for their children, in violation of its own policies, leaving US citizen children without stable caregivers.

Sign-on Opportunity: Ashley’s Bill – Protecting Detained Immigrant Children in Illinois

By | Opportunities

Sign-on Opportunity: Ashley’s Bill – Protecting Detained Immigrant Children in Illinois

National Immigrant Justice Center & Children’s Legal Center

Advocates in Illinois are trying to pass Ashley’s Bill, legislation that would allow abused, abandoned, or neglected children in federal custody to petition for the legal findings needed to apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and a pathway to residency. Sign-on to support Ashley’s bill.

What About My Children Family Separation Among Parents Deported to Honduras

By | Deportation, Family Separation, Immigrant Families Research, Immigration Enforcement, Research

What About My Children Family Separation Among Parents Deported to Honduras

Women’s Refugee Commission (March 19, 2026)

This report examines how the second Trump administration’s record-level immigration enforcement has led to widespread family separations, with parents frequently deported without the opportunity to arrange for their children’s care.

Determinants of Mental Health Service Utilization Among Immigrant Caregivers and Their Children in a US-Mexico Border Community

By | Highlighted Resources, Immigrant Families Research, Research, Research Highlight

Determinants of Mental Health Service Utilization Among Immigrant Caregivers and Their Children in a US-Mexico Border Community

Carolina Villamil Grest, Megan Finno-Velasquez, Irene Casey, & Sophia Sepp; Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health (December 23, 2025)

A study of 240 immigrant families in New Mexico found that help-seeking attitudes and access to coordinated health and social services are key drivers of mental health service use, highlighting the need for culturally informed outreach and integrated care for immigrant families in the border region.

‘Why Is This Happening to Us?’ Daily Number of Kids in ICE Detention Jumps 6x Under Trump

By | Detention, ICE, Immigrant Families Research, Immigration Enforcement, Research, Research Highlight

‘Why Is This Happening to Us?’ Daily Number of Kids in ICE Detention Jumps 6x Under Trump

Anna Flagg and Shannon Heffernan, The Marshall Project (January 29, 2026)

According to this Marshall Project analysis, the number of children held in ICE detention has surged more than sixfold under the second Trump administration, from an average of 25 children per day under Biden to around 170.

Family Separation as Policy: The Human Cost for Children

By | Family Separation, Federal Policy, Highlighted Resources, Immigration Enforcement, Law & Policy, Law/Policy Highlight, Trauma

Family Separation as Policy: The Human Cost for Children

Victoria Walker, US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (February 6, 2026)

This policy brief argues that government-enforced family separation is not merely a regulatory decision but a traumatic severing of family bonds that undermines child welfare, destabilizes communities, and violates children’s fundamental right to safety and belonging.

Dismantling Protections: How ORR Policy Changes Trap Children in Extended Detention

By | Detention, Federal Policy, Immigrant Youth, Law & Policy, Law/Policy Highlight, Unaccompanied Minors

Dismantling Protections: How ORR Policy Changes Trap Children in Extended Detention

Jonathan Beier, Ruben Ortiz, and Kofi Forkuo-Sekyere; Acacia Center for Justice (September 2025)

This report discusses how recent policy changes within ORR that break down pathways to release are keeping children in detention for prolonged periods of time

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