Story perspectives

Brookings: 145,000 Kids of Detained Parents, Only 5% Get Services

5/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Brookings study May 18 found 145,000 children had a parent detained under Donald Trump's immigration enforcement.
Only about five percent—roughly 1,100—received child-welfare services, with 36% of the children younger than six.
Researchers urge the Department of Homeland Security to collect and publicly report data on detained parents and displaced children.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson claimed detention is choice and ICE does not separate families, challenged by advocacy groups.

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Story summary

Brookings study May 18 found 145,000 children had a parent detained under Donald Trump's immigration enforcement.
Only about five percent—roughly 1,100—received child-welfare services, with 36% of the children younger than six.
Researchers urge the Department of Homeland Security to collect and publicly report data on detained parents and displaced children.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson claimed detention is choice and ICE does not separate families, challenged by advocacy groups.