CHICAGO (FluxDaily) — The 2-year-old boy was so frightened, he stuttered.
“Mommy, mommy, mommy,” he repeated, clinging to her.
His mother, Molly Kucich, had been grocery shopping when her husband called, panicking. She heard “immigration raid.” Then: “tear gas.”
In a frantic rush, she abandoned her cart and sped to her toddler, along with his baby brother, who, on that warm October Friday, were among hundreds of Chicago children engulfed in the chaos of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement.
Parents, teachers, and caregivers have since been grappling with how to explain the events to affected children: how much to reveal so they can stay safe while still allowing them to retain a semblance of childhood innocence.
“I don’t know how to explain this to my kids,” Kucich expressed.
As children played outside Funston Elementary School that day, the unexpected presence of law enforcement echoed unsettlingly through the normally vibrant Logan Square neighborhood. Sirens screamed as panicked parents rushed to pick up their kids, fearing for their safety amid the turmoil.
The pandemonium escalated as tear gas canisters were fired into the crowd, and children could only witness the havoc unfold, asked questions they didn’t even grasp.
Reports surfaced of children clinging closely to their caregivers, terrified at the prospect of being separated from their loved ones, while others whispered to their toys, expressing fears of arbitrary detention.
In the aftermath of the raid, the community remained on edge, with many expressing concerns about the lasting trauma this incident might instill in the minds of their children.
“These kids are traumatized,” said Vanessa Aguirre-Ávalos, owner of a nearby cafe and a resident of the area. “Even if ICE stops what they’re doing now, the damage is already done.”
Amidst escalating tensions, teachers like Liza Oliva-Perez found themselves caught between protecting their students and managing their own fears. “I had to act like nothing was wrong,” she revealed, illustrating the emotional turmoil within schools as educators tried to maintain a safe environment for their students.
Despite being a teacher and a U.S. citizen, Oliva-Perez noted, “I got treated like a common criminal,” highlighting the harsh realities faced under the current immigration policies.
As family members continue to live in fear of deportation and separation, there is a call for community solidarity and resilience in addressing the psychological impacts of such aggressive policies.
“Our skin color defines us,” one parent lamented, articulating the deeply ingrained fears that many families now harbor in a country increasingly fraught with division and unrest.
The ripple effects of this immigration crackdown underscore a need for understanding and support within communities haunted by fear and uncertainty. Therapists and community activists are rallying to provide guidance and resources for families shaken by the events, aiming to foster safety and healing amid the chaos.
