Between January and August 2025, U.S. immigration enforcement deported six of ten detained mothers of American citizen children within seven months, according to ProPublica's analysis of records obtained from federal immigration authorities. The same period saw the deportation rate for arrested mothers double compared to the prior administration, separating an estimated tens of thousands of U.S.
citizen children from their parents. The deportations occurred under new immigration enforcement policies. More than three-quarters of the mothers deported had no criminal convictions in the United States other than traffic or immigration-related offenses.
Table of Contents
- How Many Mothers Were Deported and When
- Who These Mothers Were
- The Number of U.S. Children Affected
- What Happens to Children Left Behind
- Why the Government Cannot Say How Many Children Are Affected
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Mothers Were Deported and When
ProPublica examined 866 arrests of mothers with U.S. citizen children during the seven-month enforcement period and found that 516 were deported—the source of the 60% figure. Another 17% remained detained when the study closed, meaning the deportation rate may still climb as their cases resolve.
At least 11,000 parents of U.S. citizen children were arrested and detained during this window, though this is an undercount. The available data do not capture all arrests, and enforcement continued beyond the study's closing date. The scale represents a significant shift in enforcement intensity.
Who These Mothers Were
Most detained mothers were not criminals. More than three-quarters had no criminal convictions except traffic or immigration-related offenses. About half of detained fathers shared the same profile. This context matters because it shows the enforcement cast a wide net beyond the criminal cases immigration authorities often cite publicly. The demographic of the deported population shifted under the new administration.
The deportation rate for arrested mothers under Trump reached 60%, compared to approximately 30% of similar arrests under Biden. This doubling reflects a change in who gets deported, not just enforcement volume.
The Number of U.S. Children Affected
The seven-month window affected far more than a one-time measure captures. Brookings Institution estimates that approximately 145,000 U.S. citizen children have experienced a parental detention since Trump's administration began, based on demographic matching to Census data and detainee records. This estimate extends beyond the ProPublica study period and accounts for ongoing enforcement.
The scale continued to grow. The Women's Refugee Commission reported in May 2026 that the number of detained mothers increased by more than 300% over the past year, adding current context to the seven-month trend. This acceleration means children separated now are likely younger and face longer separations.
What Happens to Children Left Behind
Children separated from deported mothers face immediate, documented harm. Loss of a primary provider can trigger homelessness, school disruption, and financial instability. The American Immigration Council documents that parental detention and deportation cause measured damage to children's physical and mental health, educational achievement, and economic security. Many children live with relatives who are themselves at risk of deportation, creating unstable substitute care.
The consequences extend across multiple domains. The Women's Refugee Commission interviewed deported mothers in Honduras who described being forced to leave children with relatives also vulnerable to ICE enforcement. Children separated suddenly lose school enrollment, medical continuity, and stable housing overnight.
Why the Government Cannot Say How Many Children Are Affected
The most significant gap in understanding this crisis is the lack of official tracking. The U.S. government does not systematically track how many detainees or deportees have children in the United States or what happens to those children after a parent is removed. Estimates of family separations rely on external analysis by researchers and advocacy organizations, not government-collected data.
DHS provided a partial figure of 18,277 parents detained in 2025 (connected with 60,000 U.S.-born children) but did not answer whether family separations are being tracked systematically. This absence means policy decisions affecting hundreds of thousands of children are made without direct measurement of the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these mothers all in the country illegally?
The data do not specify immigration status. The enforcement process arrested them; the vast majority had no serious criminal record in the United States. Courts determine immigration status during detention.
What can a parent do if they are detained by immigration authorities?
Request an attorney immediately. Ask to call a relative or local legal aid organization. Do not sign documents without legal advice. Inform ICE of any U.S. citizen children and dependents in your care.
Where can I find help if a parent has been detained?
Contact your state's immigrant legal assistance program through the American Immigration Lawyers Association, or call 1-844-363-1423 for the immigration hotline. Local nonprofits specializing in immigration often offer free or low-cost help.