In 2024, during his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised mass deportations, a policy that has since sparked widespread fear and anxiety among immigrant communities. Since taking office, his administration has intensified efforts to enforce immigration laws, often using tactics that instill fear. From ASMR videos showing refugees in handcuffs to Valentine’s Day memes threatening deportation, the message has been clear and unsettling.
One of the most controversial moves was the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to enter “sensitive” areas like schools and churches. The administration argued that this would help catch criminals who had entered the country illegally. However, this decision has left many families, especially children, living in constant fear.
A heartbreaking note written by a child, shared widely on social media, has brought this fear to light. The note, addressed to a friend, reads: “If ICE takes me, I’ll be in El Salvador. You’re my best friend, like the brother I never had. I cry every night because I’m scared they’ll come to my school and take me.” The note, accompanied by tearful drawings, has touched millions of hearts online, with over 12 million views on X (formerly Twitter).
The emotional outcry has been overwhelming. Many have expressed anger and frustration toward the Trump administration, with comments like, “This cruelty is the point,” and “No one should live in constant fear.” A librarian shared their own distress, saying, “I’ve been breaking down at my desk, thinking about my library kids and their parents being deported at any moment.”
In response, some schools in New York and Chicago have taken a stand, declaring they will only allow ICE agents on campus if they present a signed warrant. This small act of resistance offers a glimmer of hope, but for many children and families, the fear of deportation remains a daily reality.
