Trump’s Immigration Policy: An Assault on the Well-Being of Children
It took less than 48 hours. And the Trump Administration is coming out of the gates with an aggressively anti-child approach to immigration policy. I am not even a little bit shocked. All of this was expected. But that doesn’t make it easier to process. The urge to succumb to this feeling of overwhelming anxiety and dread and tune it out is strong. But the urge to do something is stronger. There is always something we can do.
One of the most chilling elements of the Trump administration’s immigration policy is its erasure of longstanding protections for three specific spaces (that just so happen to be spaces where children expect and deserve to feel physically and psychologically safe). I am talking about schools, places of worship, and healthcare facilities. Historically, these have been considered safe spaces—areas where immigration enforcement was limited or prohibited. This approach was based on a recognition that children should not be caught in the crossfire of a political and legal system they have no control over.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on that. Children have no voice in politics. They have no control. The Trump Administration has absolutely no qualms with harming them. They are in the crosshairs. We MUST be their voice. See: Their Future PAC, our nation’s first and only PAC for kids.
These protections date back to 2011 when then-President Obama’s Administration issued a memo that encouraged law enforcement to avoid conducting immigration enforcement actions at schools, daycare centers, and healthcare facilities, as well as places of worship. This policy was grounded in the belief that access to education and healthcare is a fundamental human right, and that keeping these spaces free from the threat of deportation was vital to the well-being of families, communities, and children. Oh, to have leaders who care about the well-being of children. What a wonderful world that would be.
These protections historically ensured that children, regardless of immigration status, could attend school, receive medical care, and access community support without constant fear—fear that their parents may be detained when they drop them off at school, or that a trip to the hospital could result in their family being torn apart. But with Trump’s approach to immigration undermining their ability to thrive in environments where they should feel safe and secure, we expect to see profound implications for children's mental and physical well-being.
Remember on Sunday when we lived in a country that valued ALL children, regardless of their parents’ immigration status? Those were the days.
As a pediatrician I am most concerned that families will delay or outright avoid seeking medical treatment for their children due to fear of deportation. This delay in care could mean the difference between life and death for some children, especially those with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or complex medical needs. Imagine a child having an asthma attack whose parents’ fear of deportation leads them to avoid seeking care. The child progresses to respiratory failure. And dies. From an asthma attack. In America. In 2025.
Are we great again yet?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 4 million children in the U.S. who are born to undocumented immigrant parents but have birthright citizenship. These children, who are (were?) legally entitled to an education and a childhood free from fear of deportation, are now caught in a web of uncertainty.
In this demoralizing climate, healthcare professionals have a vital role to play in ensuring that families and children are protected and can access care without fear of deportation. According to the National Immigration Law Center’s Guide for Healthcare Professionals, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals can take several steps to protect their patients, particularly those in immigrant communities:
Know the Law: Admittedly this will become harder and harder with each passing day. Use resources like Stanford’s immigration policy tracking tool.
Protect Patient Privacy: Healthcare professionals are required by law to maintain patient confidentiality, and they should not share any patient information, including immigration status, with immigration authorities unless explicitly required by law (such as in cases of emergencies or criminal investigations). If in doubt, call a lawyer!
Create a Safe Environment: Doctors and medical staff can create visible signs or statements within their offices or clinics reassuring families that they are safe to seek care regardless of their immigration status. Do not keep sensitive documents in plain view.
Refer Patients to Legal Resources: Healthcare providers should be aware of local immigrant rights organizations or legal services that can assist families in navigating the complex legal landscape they face.
The Trump Administration’s policy is a direct attack on the well-being of children, many of whom are U.S. citizens with birthright citizenship. These children—who should be protected by the Constitution—are instead exposed to unnecessary trauma, fear, and delay in accessing the services they need to grow up into the healthiest, happiest versions of themselves. This is cruel and deeply un-American. It may break your heart but don’t let it break you.
We have to stay in this fight.