The administration has detained 400,000 immigrants: What do we know about their children?

We know surprisingly little about what happens to children of detainees. Children who are themselves unauthorized may face detention or deportation, but most children of detainees are U.S. citizens.

Parents wishing their children to remain in the United States are encouraged by community partners to have a family preparedness plan, specifying a close friend or relative who will care for the child if the parent cannot. In many of these cases, the government is unaware of children left behind, and most parents prefer to avoid contact with the child welfare system even if they have only substandard care options.