Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign promise of mass deportations has had a profound impact on immigrant communities. His administration’s aggressive immigration policies, including allowing ICE agents to enter schools and churches, have left many families living in fear.

This fear was poignantly captured in a note written by a child, which has since gone viral. The note, shared on social media, reads: “If ICE takes me, I’ll be in El Salvador. You’re my best friend, like the brother I never had. I cry every night because I’m scared they’ll come to my school and take me.” The child’s words, accompanied by tearful drawings, have resonated deeply, amassing over 12 million views on X (formerly Twitter).

The Trump administration’s decision to allow ICE agents into “sensitive” areas has been met with significant backlash. While officials argue it’s necessary to catch criminals, critics say it’s causing unnecessary trauma, especially for children. The viral note has sparked outrage, with many condemning the administration’s policies.

Comments like, “This cruelty is the point,” and “No child should live in fear,” have flooded social media. A librarian shared their own heartbreak, saying, “I’ve been breaking down at my desk, thinking about my library kids and their parents being deported at any moment.”

In response, some schools in New York and Chicago have announced they will only allow ICE agents on campus with a signed warrant. While this offers some reassurance, the fear of deportation continues to weigh heavily on countless families.