By Shekinah Cabajon

The U.S immigration and customs enforcement, aka ICE, is responsible for the deaths and detainment of thousands of migrants seeking refuge in the United States. President Donald Trump describes them as “heroes” but are they really the “the true champions of justice” the president claims they are? 

In mid January 2020, the Los Angeles Times reported that the official government count of children separated from their parents/ adult relatives under the family Separation policy was 4368. Some that are detained are as young as 5 and are held without their caregivers. These children can often end up in overcrowded and unsanitary detention centers where they can stay for days, weeks or even months, sometimes with no access to basic hygienic necessities such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and even a place to wash their hands. This is extremely callous especially since the United States is in the midst of a worldwide pandemic.

Forced separation can be very traumatic for a child as they are separated from the people they depend on to protect and provide for their needs, as young children cannot feed or provide for themselves. Parents also play a vital role in a child’s cognitive development and the absence of their guidance has proven to gravely affect a child’s mental health as they age. Ripping children away from their parents is extremely inhumane, and won’t stop immigrants from crossing our borders. 

The Trump administration is showing its true disregard for human rights and constitutional rights; they’re making it clear that immigrants aren’t welcome here and they’re not afraid to practice what they preach.