Up First from NPR The Families Hiding from ICE
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Dec 7, 2025 
Jasmine Garsd, NPR immigration correspondent, dives deep into the lives of undocumented families living in fear of ICE. She shares the heartbreaking story of Em's family in Maryland, whose children endure panic attacks from the threat of detention. Garsd explains the complexities of emergency guardianship as a safety net for children and highlights the emotional burden parents face when seeking someone to care for their kids if they are deported. A supportive neighbor steps in, showcasing the human connection amid fear and uncertainty.
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Family Locked Down After ICE Sighting
- Em and her family spent a summer locked in their trailer after ICE agents appeared near the husband's workplace.
- The kids missed activities and one daughter developed panic attacks from anxiety about deportation.
Know School Legal Protections
- Schools cannot ask about immigration status and agents generally need a warrant to enter schools.
- Ilora Mukherjee clarifies that fears are understandable after policy changes but legal protections still exist.
Bus Stop Scare Spurs Legal Steps
- Em froze when she saw law-enforcement presence at the school bus stop and ran home with her children.
- That fear prompted her to start emergency guardianship paperwork with an American friend.