Michigan legislators and community leaders held a live press conference on Friday in which testimonies were shared about how the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda, deportations, and ICE raids are harming immigrant children across the state.

The conference, organized by the Young Center for Immigrant Children Rights featured the participation of Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang (D-06); Grace Rowley, legislative director for State Senator Mary Cavanagh (D-06); Dr. Keenan King, executive director of the Kent School Services Network; Molly Huffaker, of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center; and Lauren, a former refugee foster mother in Michigan. and Jennifer Vanegas of the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights.

The speakers detailed how the Trump administration's policies are forcing families to make impossible choices amid constant fear and uncertainty.

Children and families face the terrifying specter of separation from their loved ones at every turn: from policies that force minors back into federal custody, to changes that allow immigration enforcement in schools and clinics, to longer detentions and fewer releases for parents.

Michigan residents are experiencing illegal tactics by immigration agents, including the attempted detention of an unaccompanied minor with a pending immigration case.

Schools are doing their best to train staff and inform families about the district's protocol in the event of immigration enforcement operations on school grounds, and advocates are encouraging families to know their rights and prepare.

State lawmakers are responding to the suffering of immigrant families with legislative proposals (SB 508, 509, 510) that would guarantee the existence of basic safeguards to protect the rights of all Michigan residents.“Senate Bills 508-510 would strengthen public safety, the right to privacy, and dignity for the benefit of all Michigan residents,” stated State Senator Stephanie Chang. “Public safety depends on trust. We cannot build safer communities if people are too afraid to ask for help, interact with the justice system, go to school, or seek medical care,” stated Grace Rowley, legislative director for State Senator Mary Cavanagh. “Immigration policies that create fear that children will be expelled from schools lead to reluctance to attend classes. This domino effect creates conditions where the more children miss school, the greater the likelihood of truancy and, consequently, the greater the need for us to rely on more systems that the state or county cannot afford.” “Children not going to school harms the economy, our community, and our society, regardless of whether the fear is real or not,” said Dr. Keenan King, Executive Director of the Kent School Services Network. Molly Huffaker, of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, stated, “Children are children, regardless of their nationality, and our laws and values ??require us to act in their best interests. With fair and humane legislation, we can ensure their rights are respected in the state of Michigan and bring peace of mind to fearful families.” Lauren, a former refugee foster mother in Michigan, noted, “My husband and I were foster parents. During the six years we fostered, we cared for nearly ten immigrant children, all of whom were forcibly separated from their families.” We know firsthand that this separation is terribly traumatic and has lasting effects on these children and their families.”

All children deserve safety. They deserve the opportunity to receive an education. They deserve to go to church, to places of worship, and to receive medical care without fear. Lauren – Former refugee foster mother in Michigan

“This isn’t just a border issue, it’s a Michigan issue,” said Jennifer Vanegas of the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. “The government creates this impossible dilemma through actions that violate due process and the fundamental right of families to remain together. No family, let alone any child, should be forced into this situation. But for families, immigrant families in Michigan, this has become an everyday reality.”