The Impact of Trump’s Immigration Policies on Child Care Workers
The child care industry is facing a crisis as a result of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Many child care workers are immigrants, and the fear of deportation is affecting their ability to do their jobs. At CentroNía, a bilingual preschool in Washington, staff members have been rehearsing what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials come to the door. The school has also stopped taking children on walks around the neighborhood and has scrapped its Hispanic Heritage Month parade due to concerns about drawing unwanted attention from ICE.
The Trump administration’s push for mass deportation has had a significant impact on the child care field, which is heavily reliant on immigrants. According to a report by the UC Berkeley’s Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, about one-fifth of America’s child care workers were born outside the United States, and one-fifth are Latino. The proportion of immigrants in some places, particularly large cities, is much higher, with around 40% of the child care workforce being foreign-born in the District of Columbia, California, and New York.
Flor Perez encourages her class of 2-year-olds in a walk around the school in lieu of outdoor walks around the neighborhood during school time at CentroNia in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Child Care Industry’s Reliance on Immigrants
The child care industry’s reliance on immigrants is not limited to the workers themselves, but also to the families they serve. Many immigrant families rely on child care services to help them balance work and family responsibilities. According to the American Immigration Council, more than three-quarters of immigrants working in early care and education were living and working in the U.S. legally. Preschools like CentroNía conduct rigorous background checks, including verifying employees’ work authorization.
However, the Trump administration’s immigration policies have created a climate of fear among child care workers, many of whom are U.S. citizens or legal residents. At CentroNía, one staff member was detained by ICE while walking down the street and held for several hours, and another staff member was pulled over by ICE on her way to work. These incidents have taken a toll on the mental health of employees, with some experiencing panic attacks and anxiety.
Edelmira Kitchen, a teaching artist at CentroNia, poses for a portrait in a classroom at CentroNia in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Fear and Anxiety Among Child Care Workers
The fear and anxiety among child care workers are not limited to those who are undocumented. Even U.S. citizens and legal residents are feeling the effects of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. At a Guidepost Montessori School in Portland, Oregon, teachers observed preschoolers changing in the weeks after an ICE arrest near the school. The school went into lockdown, and children were pulled off the playground. Teachers noticed more outbursts among students, and more students retreating to the “regulation station,” an area in the main office with fidget toys kids can use to calm themselves.
Celenia Romero reads to her Prek-5 students as they play in the library at CentroNia in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The impact of Trump’s immigration policies on child care workers is a complex issue that affects not only the workers themselves but also the families they serve. As the child care industry continues to face challenges in providing quality care to children, it is essential to consider the human impact of these policies on the workers who are essential to the industry’s success. For more information, read the full article Here.
Image Source: www.twincities.com
