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For over two decades, immigration enforcement in the country’s interior has separated families and caused lasting damage to children in immigrant families and communities. These policies–resulting in worksite raids, arrests, and deportations–have undermined the health and well-being of more than 5 million children with at least one undocumented parent. In the meantime, Congress has failed to enact meaningful immigration reform that centers the dignity and humanity of immigrant families. Long-standing community members continue to suffer.
A new report from CLASP and UnidosUS analyzes trends in interior enforcement and documents the negative impact on children’s economic security, access to food, housing stability, mental health, and educational outcomes. Although the nation has seen a downward trend in interior enforcement actions since 2009, harmful policies remain in place and more humane policies–such as the DACA program, parental interest directive, and protected areas policy–remain stalled in the courts or face implementation challenges.
Policy experts at CLASP and UnidosUS share concrete steps that Congress, the Biden Administration, and state and local governments can take to mitigate the harms to children caused by interior enforcement policies that have made communities less safe.
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