In July the Estamos Contigo team of ten, from University of San Francisco School of Education and McAllen 12 went out to work in South Texas with the families and children being released from ICE Detention is McAllen, Texas. During our time with the children, those ages ten and up shared stories of being separated from their parents in cages they called ''La Perrera". In Latin America, "La Perrera" is known as the place where the most vicious dogs are kept. Children spoke of the difficult conditions they experienced in ICE detention. The children that are separated inside ICE facilities are suffering effects of anxiety, stress and fears of ongoing parent separation. The emotional trauma that is imposed on them can have a life long impact on their development.

Let's stand together to 1) Stop immigrant children being separated from their parents in ICE detention and 2) Tell Immigration Customs Enforcement to Stop housing children ages ten and up in cages in South Texas Immigration Detention Centers and others that use this same practice.

Our immigrant children and families are not criminals and should be received with care as they are fleeing violence and have  suffered so much.

The picture above was drawn by a child right after being released from ICE detention center in South Texas. Here you see "La Perrera" painted by a child who lived through this experience. We hope you will consider signing this petition so no more children will have to be separated from their parents in ICE detention. 

#NoMoreCages for children in ICE