Trigger Warning: Child Abuse
We are America. We pride ourselves on our greatness and goodness. We celebrate our identity with fireworks and flags each Fourth of July, honoring the ideals of freedom and bravery. We sing about our land of liberty, wrapping ourselves in our flag and proclaiming we are the best nation in the world. Yet, we often fail to see the darker reality. We inflict suffering on children.
This isn’t about distant wars or conflicts in foreign lands. The abuse is happening right here—within our own borders, in detention centers located in Virginia, the birthplace of our nation, and Texas, known for its rich history. This is not merely about the separation of migrant families, which the United Nations has condemned as potentially torturous. No, this is about the concrete reality of child abuse in America.
A report from the ACLU released in May 2018 reveals the ways in which migrant children apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border are mistreated. The organization has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles, claiming that these facilities are failing to meet basic standards for hygiene, food, sleeping conditions, and medical care, as outlined in the 1997 Flores settlement. This settlement mandates that the government treat all children in custody “with dignity, respect, and special concern for their particular vulnerability as minors.”
Pause for a moment. Picture the children in your life. What are they doing? Laughing, playing, or simply being cared for? Now, imagine their world turned upside down.
According to the ACLU, Customs and Border Patrol agents often resort to unnecessary force against children. Reports detail incidents where boys are thrown to the ground, kicked, and handcuffed so tightly that they bleed. One child suffered a broken leg after being run over by a truck and was denied immediate medical attention. These children endure physical violence, verbal abuse, and threats of sexual violence.
Conditions in detention are dire. Many children are placed in what is known as the hielera, or “Icebox,” where they face freezing temperatures without blankets. Pregnant minors are isolated and taunted, while a young girl recounts how a child was left in a diaper after his pants were discarded. Investigations have revealed unsanitary conditions, with overflowing toilets and no basic supplies.
Food is often scarce or inedible. Reports indicate that some children go days without proper meals, relying on meager offerings of juice and crackers. In one instance, a mother reported that they resorted to drinking from a toilet to stay hydrated. Basic medical care is routinely denied, with children suffering from serious health issues left untreated.
The treatment extends beyond physical abuse. A lawsuit from October 2017 describes the experiences of a 17-year-old and others held at the Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center, where they faced beatings, humiliation, and neglect of their mental health needs. Many were overmedicated with psychotropic drugs, raising concerns about their long-term well-being.
This is America. Right now, children are living in fear and suffering. Somewhere, a child is dealing with frozen food, enduring physical assaults, or shivering in subzero conditions. This is your America—the land that claims to be free and brave.
This grim reality calls for action and awareness. For further insights on related topics, check out our other blog post on home insemination kits. Additionally, for more information on fertility options, visit Make A Mom, an authority on this subject. If you’re looking for resources on pregnancy and home insemination, the UCSF Center offers excellent information.
In summary, the abuse of children in immigration detention centers is a disturbing reality that must not be overlooked. As a society, we must confront these injustices and advocate for the rights and dignity of all children.