Families and staff across Illinois Head Start and Early Head Start programs are sharing how increased enforcement activity in their communities affects daily life.
These stories focus on real experiences—attendance challenges, changes in family engagement, stress on children, and the extra work programs do to support families. Identifying details have been removed to protect privacy.
The purpose of sharing these stories is awareness and understanding.
Stories are reviewed and edited to remove names, locations, dates, or details that could identify a person, family, or program. We do not publish information that could put anyone at risk.
These stories help illustrate how broader policies and enforcement practices show up in everyday life for children, families, and Head Start programs.
“Will you still be here when I get back?”
After an ICE raid happened in his neighborhood, Mateo became withdrawn and silent. He stopped participating in circle time and clung to his teacher at drop-off. His mom shared that Mateo overheard adults talking about “people being taken away” and became terrified his parents wouldn’t come home. One afternoon, his mother was late picking him up, and Mateo had a complete meltdown.
“She carries her backpack everywhere — even to bed.”
Sofia’s older cousin was detained during an early morning enforcement action. Since then, Sofia sleeps with her backpack packed with clothes and her favorite stuffed animal. Her grandmother says she’s afraid of being taken away suddenly and wants to be “ready.” Teachers report nightmares, regression in potty training, and separation anxiety that didn’t exist before.
“We stopped bringing the kids to Head Start.”
One family pulled their two children out of Head Start for several weeks after raids occurred near their apartment complex. The mother said, “I know Head Start is safe. I know the teachers care. But I can’t risk being seen leaving the house.” The children missed meals, therapy services, and early learning supports they depend on — not because the program failed them, but because fear isolated them from help.
“He cries when sirens go by.”
A 3-year-old boy witnessed his father being detained during a traffic stop. Now, whenever he hears sirens, he hides under tables or starts crying uncontrollably. His teacher said: “He doesn’t understand immigration policy — he just knows someone took his dad.”
“She thinks school is dangerous now.”
After a raid near their school, several children began saying things like: “The bad people are coming.” “They take mommies.” “We shouldn’t go outside.” During play time, a child was overheard saying, “I’ve got to be good or ICE will get.” In some areas, even playground time and neighborhood walks feel too risky.