Moms Decry ICE Raids Harming Immigrant and American Families

Advocacy group says children are suffering mental and physical impacts from enforcement actions.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 8:09am

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A group representing mothers from across the country is speaking out against ICE raids, saying they're taking a harmful mental and physical toll on both immigrant and American children. The social welfare organization MomsRising is urging Congress not to give ICE additional funds, citing studies showing children are exhibiting signs of 'toxic stress' and avoiding critical medical care due to fears of deportation.

Why it matters

The impacts of ICE raids extend beyond just the targeted immigrant families, affecting the broader community and raising concerns about the long-term effects on child development and wellbeing. This highlights the complex social and humanitarian issues surrounding immigration enforcement policies.

The details

According to Dr. Gabriela Maradiago Panayotti, a pediatrician in Durham, North Carolina, families fearful of deportation are holding children back from routine and life-saving medical care. Studies show a growing number of children are exhibiting signs of 'toxic stress', which can stunt brain development and lead to anxiety, depression, and auto-immune diseases. In Durham, 30% of children did not attend school when ICE was conducting concentrated enforcement raids. The group also noted that one in four people in the childcare industry are immigrants, and many are not showing up to daycare centers and nurseries for fear of arrest and deportation, affecting American children as well.

  • On March 23, 2026, the MomsRising organization held a news conference to speak out against the impacts of ICE raids.

The players

MomsRising

A social welfare organization representing mothers from across the country that is speaking out against ICE raids and their harmful impacts on children.

Dr. Gabriela Maradiago Panayotti

A pediatrician in Durham, North Carolina, who says families fearful of deportation are holding children back from routine and life-saving medical care.

Nina Perez

The campaign director for MomsRising, who says 'one in four people in the childcare industry are immigrants' and many are not showing up to daycare centers and nurseries for fear of arrest and deportation.

Sarah Quinn

A mother of a preschooler in Minneapolis, whose child's daycare facility has been the subject of harassment and required police protection due to the impacts of ICE raids.

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What they’re saying

“We know that children need safe, stable places to grow and to learn and the anti-immigrant policies we are seeing are hurting children, their health and their wellbeing.”

— Dr. Gabriela Maradiago Panayotti, Pediatrician

“Children and families are avoiding routine care, life-saving care because they're afraid to leave their home.”

— Dr. Gabriela Maradiago Panayotti, Pediatrician

“Children are confused, frightened and plagued by nightmares and anxiety. Their security and confidence are undermined. And some see law enforcement as a threat.”

— Nina Perez, MomsRising Campaign Director

“We want ICE to leave.”

— Sarah Quinn, Mother of a Preschooler

What’s next

The group is urging Congress not to give ICE additional funds as it debates the current Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security spending bill.

The takeaway

This case highlights the far-reaching humanitarian impacts of aggressive immigration enforcement, with children and families - both immigrant and American - suffering mental, physical, and developmental consequences. It underscores the need for a more compassionate and holistic approach to immigration policy that prioritizes the wellbeing of all communities.