Mass Detention Under the Trump Administration Leaves Over 145,000 U.S. Citizen Children Without a Parent

Brookings estimates 146,635 U.S. citizen children have had at least one parent detained since President Donald Trump’s second term began in Jan 2025; over 22,000 have lost both parents. About 36 % are under six. Mexican-origin families account for roughly 54 % of cases, with Guatemalan and Honduran families comprising another 25 %. DHS reported 18,277 detained parents with citizen children in FY 2025, a figure Brookings deems a substantial undercount. Their analysis suggests roughly 27 % of detainees are co-resident parents and only about 5 % (?1,100) of affected children have accessed child-welfare services.

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Detention and deportation dominate the administration’s immigration agenda. From Jan 2025 to Apr 2026, roughly 400,000 immigrants entered ICE detention, with about 60,000 still held. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act earmarks $45 billion for new facilities. In July 2025 ICE issued a Detained Parent Directive requiring agents to ask about parental status, though many detainees report not being questioned.

Brookings Institute

Department of Homeland Security and ICE officials say detention is voluntary. They note parents can leave with children or name a safe person for placement, use the CBP Home app to manage departure, and receive $2,600 plus a free flight to encourage voluntary exit.

The Guardian

Brookings researchers say the administration “will not achieve its stated goal of removing every unauthorized immigrant” and demand reporting of parental detention and child outcomes. They argue support for affected children is a governmental duty, not optional. The Women’s Refugee Commission and Physicians for Human Rights found many deported parents were not asked about children, hindering reunification.

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• “For both logistical and political reasons, the administration will not achieve its stated goal of removing every unauthorized immigrant from the United States,” — Brookings researchers

The Guardian

• “The bottom line is that there is no systematic approach to protecting the children of those detained by ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement],” — Brookings report

The Hill

• “ICE does not separate families.” — ICE spokesperson

The Hill

• “Being in detention is a choice.” — DHS spokesperson

The Hill

DHS reported 18,277 detained parents with citizen children in FY 2025, but Brookings says this undercounts, estimating about 145,000 affected children. Their interactive model suggests up to 205,000 children (including non-citizens) may be impacted. A ProPublica study found 60 % of detained mothers of citizen children were removed and 17 % remained in custody. No comprehensive data track long-term outcomes.

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Parental detention threatens child wellbeing, causing trauma, disruption, and loss of family support. With only about 5 % receiving child-welfare aid, many children rely on family or accompany deported parents, increasing socioeconomic instability.

The Hill

Brookings urges DHS to publish data on parental detention and child outcomes. Legislative review of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act funding and enforcement of the Detained Parent Directive are expected to shape future policy.

The Hill