Quigley Attends Child Deportation Hearings, Calls for End to Cruel Trump Immigration Practices

August 26, 2026 Press Release Quigley: The children I saw today are being put through hell. Today, Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) observed the removal proceedings of unaccompanied children (UACs) appearing on the “mega masters” court docket at the Chicago Immigration Court. Together, they raised concerns about severe due process violations targeting unaccompanied children due to the Trump Administration’s cruel immigration policies. Quigley and Durbin were joined by the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), the Children’s Legal Center (CLC), and community partners. Following the observation, Quigley and Durbin attended a press conference to speak about what they saw. “The children I saw today are being put through hell. The Trump administration isn’t going after ‘the worst of the worst.’ They’re deporting kids. Children are being seen in immigration court without lawyers, without parents, and facing a language barrier, and being asked to explain why they deserve to stay in this country. These are kids young enough to be playing with toys while they wait for their turn in front of a judge. A judge who couldn't even show up to the courtroom to look these children in the eye. As always, the cruelty is the point,” said Quigley . “Using children to instill fear and intimidate immigrant communities is beyond the pale. I’m going to keep working with the National Immigrant Justice Center, the Children’s Legal Center, and Senator Durbin to protect immigrant kids and families.” “What I witnessed today illustrated President Trump and Stephen Miller’s ruthless agenda: they will go so far with their cruel immigration operation to target terrified children, forcing them to articulate their fears in front of a judge and explain why they must remain in this country,” said Durbin . “As a father and grandfather, I cannot fathom the cruelty this Administration has inflicted on immigrants—including children across the country. I will continue to work with NIJC and CLC to end this Administration’s disgusting attacks on children and relegate their actions to the dustbin of history where they belong.” Issues : Holding the White House Accountable Immigration