April 15, 2026
70,000 People in ICE Detention — What’s the Impact on Children?
As immigration enforcement surges, children are at risk of separation from their parents—and the full scope of the impact is still unknown. In this CNN interview with Phil Mattingly, Children’s Rights Executive Director Sandy Santana explains what current data reveals—and what it misses. What we know:
- Parents of 11,000 U.S. citizen children were detained in the first seven months of the administration
- As of mid-February, nearly 70,000 people were in ICE detention
- At least 32 children have entered foster systems across 7 states (based on available state reporting)—but that number is almost certainly an undercount
Families are being separated in court hallways, during traffic stops, in hospitals, and in everyday moments. There is no consistent system to track what happens to them next.
At Children’s Rights, we see the consequences of these gaps—children facing fear, instability, and uncertainty when they should be protected.
Our priority must be the best interests of children: family unity, and every effort to keep children with their loved ones.
Every child deserves safety, stability, family, and freedom from fear.