On November 5, 2023, a routine morning at the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center in Chicago turned into a traumatic experience for parents and children when agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a raid. Adam Gonzalez, a father dropping off his 17-month-old son, witnessed the arrest of his son’s teacher, Diana Patricia Santillana Galeano. The incident has left a deep impact on the community, raising significant concerns about safety and emotional well-being.
As Gonzalez approached the day care, he noticed two unfamiliar vehicles parked outside and flashing lights. Initially assuming there had been an accident, he quickly realized the situation was far more serious. ICE agents, some wearing masks and black body armor, were apprehending Galeano. Despite his legal background and experience in rapid-response situations, Gonzalez felt a wave of helplessness. In a video of the arrest, Galeano can be heard pleading, “tengo papeles,” while parents and staff voiced their disapproval.
The aftermath of the raid has been devastating for the community. Gonzalez described the scene as “beyond traumatic,” noting that the emotional fallout has persisted long after the incident. “It was just a gut punch that this place that was so safe for us… that day it was taken away from us,” he recounted. Parents and children were left in tears, grappling with the reality of what had unfolded.
In response to the public outcry, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement asserting that ICE does not target schools or day care centers. According to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, Galeano was arrested inside a vestibule, not within the school’s premises. Nevertheless, the fear generated by the raid has continued to ripple through the community.
Impact on Families and Children
The fear instilled by the ICE presence is affecting families far beyond the immediate incident. Alice Dreyden, who works at a Head Start center in Chicago, shared that several families have withdrawn from her program due to concerns about safety. “One of my toddlers, a 15-month-old, just stopped showing up one day,” Dreyden said. She later learned that the family had returned to their home country because they did not feel secure in their environment.
Dreyden emphasized that children absorb the anxiety of adults, which can lead to developmental issues. “Kids pick up on all of that… they absolutely understand that the adults are afraid and things aren’t safe,” she stated. This situation has disrupted routines and affected the sense of stability that is crucial for young children.
Children at Dreyden’s center have shown signs of increased anxiety, particularly during routine activities. “When we would walk around the neighborhood and see a fire truck, the kids used to wave and think it was interesting. Now they just get wide-eyed and nervous,” she noted.
Psychologists, including Dr. Carla Marie Manly, affirm the detrimental effects of exposing children to hostile environments. Dr. Manly pointed out that early childhood is a critical period for emotional development, and exposure to aggressive or fear-inducing events can have lasting repercussions. “When a violent event occurs in school… the child comes to equate that once-safe space with being a source of fear, anxiety, and instability,” she explained.
Community Response and Ongoing Fear
The emotional toll on the community is palpable. Gonzalez has yet to return his son to the day care, grappling with concerns for his child’s safety amidst the ongoing fear that ICE could return. “All over Chicago, people have to make that decision every day, especially the Latino community,” he said, highlighting the tough choices families face about work and education in light of recent events.
In a study from the University of California, Riverside, researchers found that even the threat of separation can cause profound emotional harm to children of immigrant families. This insight underscores the broader implications of ICE actions on community dynamics and the well-being of children.
As the community continues to process the raid, the fear of ICE remains a significant concern, affecting daily life and family routines. The emotional scars left by the raid at Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center serve as a stark reminder of the impact that immigration enforcement can have on vulnerable populations.
