ICE rumors, fears push Ypsilanti child care centers to prepare for the worst

February 7, 2026

Child care providers in Ypsilanti, Michigan, are developing emergency protocols to protect children and families amid increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in their community. Providers like Leysi Palacio-Mora are creating evacuation plans and procedures for identifying ICE agents, responding to heightened anxiety among parents following detentions near schools and child care facilities. While ICE officials deny targeting schools and bus stops, and some rumored incidents proved false, the fear among immigrant families remains widespread, particularly after federal protections for sensitive locations like schools and churches were removed in January 2025.

Who is affected

Immigrant families and parents (documented and undocumented) in Ypsilanti and surrounding Michigan communities
Children enrolled in child care and early education programs, particularly those with immigrant parents
Child care providers and staff at centers including Eden Bilingual Childcare Center, Gretchen's House Child Development Centers, Dorothy's Discovery Daycare, It's A Small World, and Adventure Center
Leysi Palacio-Mora (39), owner of Eden Bilingual Childcare Center
Kim Tiemann, director at Gretchen's House Ypsilanti location
Dorothy Morris, owner of Dorothy's Discovery Daycare
Danielle DeSano-Smith, owner of It's A Small World
Patty Sherwood, owner of Adventure Center
Rachel Fisher (38), parent at Eden Bilingual
Two parents from Eden Bilingual who were detained by ICE and subsequently left the country with their families
Four individuals detained by ICE in Ypsilanti
U.S. citizens Renee Nicole Good (37) and Alex Pretti (37), who were killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis
Diana Santilla Galeano, arrested at a Chicago child care center (since released)
A teacher removed from her car outside a Minneapolis school
A child detained in Minnesota and transferred to Michigan
A father and his 9-year-old daughter involved in an Ann Arbor gas station incident

What action is being taken

Child care providers are developing and implementing ICE protocols and emergency evacuation plans
Palacio-Mora is conducting walkthroughs of emergency procedures at Eden Bilingual Childcare Center
Gretchen's House directors across 13 locations are holding meetings to create step-by-step protocols for ICE encounters
Child care centers are sharing resources and information with each other
Providers are consulting with attorneys and Washtenaw Intermediate School District for guidance
Centers are establishing chains of command for communication with ICE agents
Gretchen's House is considering offering transportation services for families who don't feel safe going outside
Parents are monitoring parking lots during drop-off and pick-up
Palacio-Mora is watching for unmarked vehicles she believes to be ICE agents
Some parents like Rachel Fisher are offering to do pick-up and drop-off for other families
ICE is conducting enforcement operations in Michigan, including detaining individuals at homes, immigration appointments, and workplaces
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center attorneys are representing at least three individuals detained in Ypsilanti

Why it matters

This situation matters because it represents a fundamental shift in how safe spaces for children are perceived and protected. The removal of federal protections for sensitive locations like schools and child care centers in January 2025 has eliminated previously guaranteed safeguards, leaving vulnerable children potentially exposed to traumatic encounters with law enforcement. The fear is disrupting the daily functioning of child care centers—institutions designed to nurture and protect society's youngest members—forcing providers to divert resources and attention toward security protocols rather than education and care. The psychological impact extends beyond immigrant families to entire communities, as children of all backgrounds witness the fear and anxiety affecting their classmates and families. The situation also raises concerns about the proportionality of enforcement, given that leaked ICE data shows only 5% of those detained between October and November 2025 had violent criminal convictions, despite administration claims of targeting dangerous criminals. The trauma experienced by children who witness parental detention—such as the 9-year-old who watched her father be tased and handcuffed—can have lasting developmental and emotional consequences.

What's next

Gretchen's House centers are continuing to develop and refine their step-by-step ICE response protocols
Child care centers are working to finalize their emergency plans and communication procedures
Providers plan to continue monitoring their surroundings for suspected ICE presence
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center will continue legal representation for detained individuals through immigration proceedings
Those detained remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings where they will receive due process

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com