Over 145,000 children separated from parents since Trump’s ICE surge, study estimates
A recent report estimates that over 145,000 children in the U.S. have been separated from their parents due to immigration detentions since the beginning of Donald Trump's second presidency. The Brookings Institution study highlights that a significant portion of these children are very young, with many being under six years old. The findings have raised concerns among civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups regarding the impact of strict immigration enforcement policies.
- ▪The Brookings Institution estimates that approximately 146,635 U.S. citizen children have had a parent detained since January 2025.
- ▪About 36% of these children are younger than six years old, indicating the severe impact of immigration policies.
- ▪Washington DC and Texas have the highest rates of American children affected by parental immigration detention.
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The family of a detained migrant speaks to immigration officers in an attempt to gain information at the US immigration court in Manhattan, New York City, on 16 January 2026. Photograph: David Dee Delgado/ReutersView image in fullscreenThe family of a detained migrant speaks to immigration officers in an attempt to gain information at the US immigration court in Manhattan, New York City, on 16 January 2026. Photograph: David Dee Delgado/ReutersUS immigrationOver 145,000 US children separated from parents since Trump’s ICE surge, study estimatesAbout 36% of children whose parents were detained were younger than six, Brookings Institution study foundMaya YangMon 18 May 2026 13.53 EDTLast modified on Mon 18 May 2026 14.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleMore than 145,000 US children…
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