Young Children Deserve to Be Safe

Young Children Deserve to Be Safe - Addressing the implications of enhanced immigration enforcement actions within our communities

The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is an international professional organization dedicated to advancing equity and supporting families, young children with or at risk for developmental delays and disabilities, and those who care for and educate them. At the heart of DEC’s work is a collective responsibility to address and dismantle systemic inequities that negatively impact young children and their families. DEC is committed to shaping leadership, research, policy, and practices that ensure every child and family can thrive. 

What We Believe. . . ​

As advocates for young children and their families, it is imperative to address the implications of enhanced immigration enforcement actions within our communities. The decision to allow law enforcement to conduct arrests in sensitive environments such as schools, faith-based organizations, and healthcare facilities raises serious concerns regarding the health, well-being, safety, and security of all community members, including children, families, and essential service providers.  

What We Bear Witness To. . . 

Our fears have been realized. Young children and their families are being harmed, most recently in Minnesota as children are detained with their parents or watching their parents being taken away, as they witness violence, including watching their parents and caregivers/helpers pepper-sprayed and arrested. 

The Numbers 

In our country, more than 3,800 children, including infants and young children, have been booked into immigration detention within the last year. More than 100 children are documented as stranded without parents due to enforcement actions. The number is likely much higher. These are the children we serve. These are the children we care about. 

What We Worry About. . .

Research on child development, especially in brain development, is clear. The trauma resulting from bearing witness to violence, being detained, and the separation of children from their families will create long-lasting negative impacts and put these children at significant risk for social, emotional, physical, and other delays and disabilities, both now and through the lifespan. Children who witness events such as a deportation raid are put at enhanced risk. This is true regardless of whether a family member is involved. Children who are separated from family members are at increased risk of disability, which grows the longer they are denied a close and loving relationship with a loved one. These conditions are particularly devastating for children already experiencing a delay or diagnosed condition.

What We Call For. . . 

Allow children safe spaces. We are committed to ensuring that our learning environments, which include homes, schools, early care and education facilities, playgrounds, libraries, and other places where young children and their families gather to learn and play, remain places of gathering and engagement where all are welcomed and feel safe. Furthermore, we are committed to assuring families feel safe in seeking medical care for their children, especially children with disabilities and significant health needs. 

Reduce the trauma. Young children should never be detained by strangers. Young children should never be used as pawns in enforcement operations. Young children should never be left without at least one safe, known adult. 

Protect the educators and caregivers in the early childhood community. We know you are doing all you can to protect the children in your care. You protect them in classrooms and schools and wrap your arms around their families. You sit with families who are terrified for themselves and their children. We stand with you. Please take care of yourself. Take care of each other. 

Please know we see the impact on you and are committed to supporting you. We know you will show up every day for your children and their families. You will continue to provide the voice of calm, assurance, and help. Please take advantage of the resources we and our partner organizations humbly offer. Know that we know it is not enough. Know that we will continue to listen to you and respond as well as we can to your needs, to care for you. 

Our commitment is to not only bear witness but to stand with you and use our voices to support you, the young children you serve, and your families. DEC is committed to supporting young children and their families. Be assured that the health, safety, and well-being of the families served by our programs, you, and your colleagues are held by each of us and is the foundation of decisions made in this organization. We will use our voice towards this commitment. 

Thank you is not enough, but know so many are grateful for your work and for you. 

DEC Executive Board

DEC Executive Office

Division for Early Childhood

of the Council for Exceptional Children