Think Small on the Effects of ICE Operations on Young Children
Reports that young children are being caught in the middle of immigration enforcement operations are disturbing and heartbreaking. Traumatic experiences like these can alter a child’s life trajectory. No child should ever experience this kind of fear and trauma. Experiences like these are happening in child care settings, in neighborhoods, and on the way to or from school. And that is unacceptable.
Going to child care or school should feel safe.
Childhood should be protected.
Families should not have to brace for the unimaginable during something as routine as a school day, a bus ride, or drop‑off at child care.
Early learning spaces, including child care centers, family child care homes, and schools, exist so young children can learn, play, and build trusting relationships with the adults who care for them. When immigration enforcement invades these spaces, detaining children, intimidating families, or pulling educators out of classrooms, it violates the basic expectation that these places are safe for children and families. It sends a chilling message that school and child care may no longer be safe.
Think Small calls on federal and state leaders to act immediately to protect young children and early learning environments. This includes establishing clear guardrails that keep enforcement actions away from child care programs, schools, and other early learning spaces.
Leaders must also ensure that no child is directly involved in or exposed to an enforcement action on their way to or from child care or school, or in front of peers and educators.
They must also work with communities, school districts, and early learning providers to strengthen policies that prioritize children’s safety, emotional well‑being, and uninterrupted access to care and education.
Think Small stands with families, early educators, and child care providers. We will keep showing up for them through coaching and advising, particularly as educators navigate uncertainty. We administer grants and scholarships to help stabilize and sustain quality care. We’ll continue collaborating with policymakers and community leaders to strengthen and protect Minnesota’s child care system so educators and families are not left to carry these risks alone. Finally, we are committed to walking alongside early educators with responsive, caring resources that help them support young children through fear and trauma.
Every young child deserves safety, dignity, and simple human compassion. Full stop. We cannot normalize situations where children are swept up in enforcement actions. We must do better, and we must demand better—from systems, from leadership, and from ourselves.
If you are a family member, educator, or provider who wants to share your story about early care and education in this climate, you can do so at bit.ly/MyECEStory. Your voice matters.
For questions or media inquiries, contact: Kim Sheagren, Director of Marketing and Communications, 651-523-7284 or ksheagren@thinksmall.org
