Every Kid Everywhere
Healthy, Safe & Free
Why we’re all pissed, and what we want
This administration has shown time and time again that it does not care about children. It's evidenced by policy decisions that limit access to healthcare, food services and assistance from SNAP and free lunch programs. We see it in the push for policy that limits children’s rights to identify and play sports freely - and we see it most starkly in the attempts to cover-up, and excuse the systemic abuse Jeffery Epstein and his associates inflicted on hundreds of children. We see the most damning evidence of this in the actions of ICE and CBP, removing beloved parents from their homes, and removing children from their communities.
According to The Marshall Project, as of 12/17/2025 at least 3,800 children under age 18, including 20 infants, have been booked since Trump took office, with 1,300 of those kids being held for longer than 20 days. That’s 20 days of kids unable to be in their homes, with their family. That’s 20 days with bad water, inadequate food, horrible living conditions. That’s 20 days without regular hugs, without bedtimes with parents and caregivers.
The Republican “leaders” of our country are silent, and in this silence there is a resounding call for action and leadership from the everyday citizen person. Each of us can do something.
There is a world where children have everything they need to thrive. Where clean water is plentiful, where food is not a limited resource, where fruits and vegetables don’t cost an arm and a leg. There’s a world where kids have the medicine they need without any cost. There’s a world where families are able to be together, free from fear of deportation and separation. There is a world where all kids are welcome in any country. There is a world where every kid is loved, fed, defended. There is a world that actively chooses to prosecute pedophiles. We can build this world. We do not have to wait for anyone to do this for us. We can do this every day.
“The U.S. government does not provide direct information about children in immigration custody. ”
“ ICE has booked at least 3,800 children into detention since Trump took office last year. At least 1,000 children were held longer than 20 days, a court-ordered limit on child detention.”
Everyone has something to give. Some of us can help with our bodies and our time, some of us have spending power and can donate, some of us can flex our consumerism choice and spend our money elsewhere, and some of us can use our voice, our writing, our art. Here are some ideas of how you can help, and how you can encourage others to as well.
Volunteer your time
Are you a lawyer? You can do some pro bono work! https://immigrationjustice.us/how-volunteering-works/Spend time organizing food drives and stocking community fridges in your community! We aren’t posting them here, but there are several community fridges in Evanston, and in your own community.
Boycott the corporations that are complacent in this administration's cruelty to children and families
There’s a very long list of these companies, Boycott Citizens provides a great overview of the corporations involved, how they are involved and who the biggest players are. Check out their website for information on messaging and how to effectively boycott. The prison industrial complex is deeply behind this, with for-profit prisons per usual doing the worst. But so many companies we use now are involved - Amazon, FedEx, Apple, Target, Home Depot
Donate to the organizations doing the work
The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights
Talk about it!
This is so important. We need everyone who can to speak up about what’s happening and your personal dissatisfaction. Talk about it over coffee with friends, at school pick up and drop off, at parties (why not?!)
Call your representatives
Below are links to 5 calls - make those calls!
Flyer with us! If you’re in Evanston come pick up flyers. If your elsewhere, print your own and flyer in your community! Here is the PDF!
Artwork by Lucy Knisley
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