Talking With Kids About ICE: Resources for Parents, Caregivers & Educators

Brooklyn Public Library releases resources to help our families

You may have heard reports that ICE is withdrawing from Minnesota. In reality, though, ICE will continue to have a presence in Minnesota, as they did before this wave of increased violence and attacks on the community. According to Wired Magazine, rather than fixing an already overwhelmed immigration court system, ICE arrests in Minnesota are stretching it to its limits.

Wired Magazine notes that, “Over 70,000 people are in detention as of January 25, according to the most recent available data from Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.” This includes children who are still in ICE detention, as many as 170 kids per day at times. The impact on children is devastating.

As parents of two kids, and just as humans, this is gut wrenching and horrific.

As we’ve said many many times before, it’s on us to talk with our kids about this in an age-appropriate and kid-appropriate way.

But how can we actually do that?

The Brooklyn Public Library, one of our favorite institutions, put together some resources for doing just that and we’re sharing these resources with you.

You’ll find:

➠ Conversation Starters

➠ Kids Book Recommendations

➠ Resources for Impacted Families

➠ Resources for Families in Solidarity with Impacted Families

➠ And more…

We got the chance to chat with Jessica Ralli, Brooklyn Public Library’s Manager of Early Literacy Programs and Special Initiatives, who led the compilation of these invaluable resources.

Raising Antiracist Kids: What led you to compile this list of resources?

Jessica: I initially received an email from an educator who regularly attends our workshops, asking for resources on how to talk with young children about ICE. As I began gathering materials and drafting a response, it became clear that this information would be useful to more than one person. I reached out to our children’s librarians, as well as our Outreach and Immigrant Services team, to help identify books, ideas, and trusted resources. There is a great deal of thoughtful information already being shared out in the world, and one of the key roles libraries can play is researching, organizing, and presenting that information in ways that are accessible, trustworthy, and easy for families and educators to navigate.

RAK: What is the most important takeaway for parents reading this list?

Jessica: The most important takeaway really depends on each family’s circumstances, but one message I hope parents and caregivers come away with is that children notice and understand more than we often realize. When something is happening in our communities, it can show up in children’s feelings, questions, and fears. Talking with children in age-appropriate, thoughtful ways can help them make sense of what they’re noticing, and silence isn’t always protective. It’s also important to recognize that being able to ignore what’s happening is a form of privilege and is a choice that many families don’t have right now.

RAK: What is one hope you have for immigrant families when they see this resource?

Jessica: I hope immigrant families see this resource and feel supported, and know that the library is for them, and always will be. I want them to know that there are people at the library who are working every day to celebrate, welcome, and stand with immigrant communities. And if it doesn’t feel safe to come into the library right now, I hope they still know that we are here for them, and are constantly trying to think of new, better ways we can be here for them.

RAK: What is one thing all families can do to support their community right now?

Jessica: One resource we shared is Hands Off NYC Families. They are organizing families, parents, and educators in school communities to protect and support impacted families. If you’re in NYC, I would say start there. If not, I would look at their resources and see if you can do something similar in your community. Other than that, start talking, sharing, and connecting. Now is not the time to be silent.

That’s it from us for today, folks. If you found any of this helpful, drop a note to let us know.

As isolating as parenting can feel at times, please know we’ve got each other. They want us separated, fearful and inactive. We’re refusing that. Even when us parents are afraid, even when we don’t have all the right words and answers for our kiddos, we’re still determined to raise a generation that won’t repeat the mistakes of the past, who are kinder, more compassionate and just plain decent human beings.

We’re sending care to you and hoping you get a bit of respite this weekend.

Tabitha & Adam