CHILDREN AT RISK Condemns Unlawful Deportation of U.S. Citizen Children

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHILDREN AT RISK Condemns Unlawful Deportation of U.S. Citizen Children and Urges Immediate Federal Action

Houston, TX — CHILDREN AT RISK, a non-partisan research and advocacy nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, expresses grave concern over recent reports of U.S. citizen children being deported alongside their undocumented parents without due process. These actions represent a profound violation of constitutional rights and an urgent humanitarian crisis.

On April 25, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported three U.S. citizen children—ages 2, 4, and 7—from Louisiana to Honduras with their mothers. One of the children, a 4-year-old battling Stage 4 cancer, was reportedly removed without access to necessary medical care or consultation with her physicians. In another case, a 2-year-old girl, V.M.L., was deported despite her U.S. citizen father’s efforts to retain custody and a pending court petition. A federal judge has since scheduled a hearing to investigate the legality of her removal.

These incidents are not isolated. In Florida, a Cuban-born mother of a medically fragile 1-year-old, with no criminal record, was deported despite pending legal motions and without adequate consideration of her child’s health needs.

As of recent estimates, approximately 834,000 children in Texas live with one or more undocumented parents. This figure represents about 1 in 10 children statewide, highlighting the significant presence of mixed-status families in the state. Approximately one-third of all children in Texas—nearly 2.4 million—live with at least one immigrant parent.

CHILDREN AT RISK stands firmly against these actions, which contravene the fundamental rights of U.S. citizen children and their families. The organization’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for change to improve children’s quality of life through strategic research, public policy analysis, education, collaboration, and advocacy. These deportations undermine the very principles of justice and child welfare that we strive to uphold.

“When our government strips U.S. citizen children of their rights without due process, we betray the very foundation of our democracy. Every child living in America deserves protection, dignity, and a future determined by their best interests—not by political expediency. We must stand up for all children, without exception.”
— Linda Corchado, Senior Director of Immigration, CHILDREN AT RISK

We call upon federal authorities to:

• Immediately halt the deportation of U.S. citizen children and ensure that any removal proceedings involving minors are conducted with full adherence to due process and constitutional protections.
• Conduct a thorough investigation into these cases to determine the extent of due process violations and hold accountable those responsible for any unlawful actions.
• Implement clear policies and safeguards to prevent future occurrences, ensuring that the rights and well-being of children are prioritized in all immigration enforcement actions.

CHILDREN AT RISK remains committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of all children. We urge policymakers, community leaders, and citizens to join us in demanding justice and systemic reform to protect our nation’s most vulnerable.