(Washington)—In an unprecedented show of inhumanity and cruelty, ICE has begun threatening children with prolonged detention once they turn 18 if they don’t waive their rights and withdraw any applications for protection from deportation. ICE is also threatening to arrest their parents if the children don’t cooperate. No child should ever be forced to choose between their freedom and their family.
Alarmingly, ICE is also offering children $2,500 if they agree to return to their country of origin. This is blatant bribery of minor children, many of whom fled dangerous situations in their countries of origin. These kinds of coercive tactics are at odds with existing legal frameworks that apply to children. In this operation, we could see ICE target children as young as 10 years old.
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) calls on local, state and federal leaders to stand up and protect children against this unprecedented, unlawful, and
conscious-shocking ICE operation. Attacks on children are a public emergency.
We call on the public to act: demand that your local and state leaders step in and stop this operation now. In this country, we believe that all children should be free from coercion and intimidation, and we call on our leaders to stand by these values.
We cannot let this kind of lawless operation become the norm. This callous administration is using immigrant children as leverage in its political agenda, disregarding their dignity, safety, and basic human rights.
Children should have access to legal representation if targeted to help them understand what is happening to them. There are organizations families can turn to in the event their children are targeted. Visit https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/ to find a trusted legal services provider in your area.
For anyone worried about the impact this could have on you or your loved ones, we invite you to visit our Know Your Rights page of our website.