Areva Martin on ICE Raids, Families, and Advocacy for Children with Special Needs

At Your Voice Media, we believe in shining a light on stories that matter most to our communities. In this exclusive feature, I had the chance to chat with Areva Martin, civil rights attorney, author, and founder of the Special Needs Network. Known for her tireless work advocating for children and families, Areva opened up about the very real effects ICE raids are having on immigrant families across Los Angeles—especially those raising children with autism and other disabilities. Our conversation was both powerful and heartbreaking, showing how policies impact everyday lives. It also highlights the urgent need for compassion, awareness, and action.

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YV Media: You recently spoke out about how ICE raids are affecting the families you serve. Can you tell me what you and your team first started noticing?

Areva: I started to notice ICE raids happening across Los Angeles in May and June, and it quickly became clear how deeply they were affecting our communities. Families began living in fear—avoiding schools, clinics, and even grocery stores—worried that stepping outside might put them at risk. The presence of immigration enforcement was unsettling, and it created a wave of anxiety that spread through neighborhoods. I could see how the fear was silencing people and disrupting their everyday lives, and it made me realize how urgently we need to stand up for immigrant families and their right to feel safe.

YV Media: How has this fear changed the way parents and kids are showing up day to day?

Areva: What I noticed during that time was how the ICE raids drastically changed the daily patterns of children and families. Parents were keeping their kids home from school, skipping medical appointments, and avoiding parks or public events—places that once felt safe. Some families stopped attending community programs altogether, and children became more withdrawn, sensing the fear and stress around them. Routines that brought joy and stability were replaced by caution and isolation. It was heartbreaking to see how deeply this climate of fear disrupted not just individual lives, but the overall well-being of entire communities.

YV Media: Many of the families you help are raising kids with autism or other disabilities. How are these raids hitting them the hardest?

Areva: What I’ve seen is that children with autism—who depend on routine, predictability, and a calm environment—are being hit especially hard by the ICE raids. When raids happen, the sudden disruptions throw them off completely: changes in schedule, caregivers being unavailable, and heightened stress in the home all lead to sensory overload, meltdowns, or regression in behavior. Parents feel torn between keeping their child safe and maintaining therapy, appointments, or schooling. The fear of separation or of ICE presence makes it harder for families to keep up with supports that are often essential for autistic children. In short, the climate of fear isn’t just psychological—it’s interfering with progress, wellbeing, and stability for kids who already face extra challenges.

YV Media: Families are already juggling so much—jobs, language barriers, money struggles. How do these raids make all of that even harder?

Areva: The ICE raids make life exponentially harder for families already juggling the intense demands of raising a child with autism while living in poverty. These families often rely on public resources—like school-based services, therapy appointments, food assistance, and community programs—to manage daily life. But when ICE is active in their neighborhoods, many parents are too afraid to leave the house, let alone navigate complex systems or seek help. Poverty already means limited transportation, unstable housing, and tight schedules, and the constant fear of detention or deportation adds a layer of paralyzing stress. Some families are forced to choose between risking exposure to ICE and getting their child to a much-needed therapy session. Others retreat entirely, isolating themselves and losing access to the very support systems that help their children thrive. The raids don’t just threaten immigration status—they rob families of the stability and access that are absolutely essential when parenting a child with special needs.

YV Media: What do you wish people in power understood about what’s really happening to these families?

Areva: What I wish policymakers understood is that ICE raids don’t just target individuals—they send shockwaves through entire communities. I’ve seen firsthand how fear spreads like wildfire, changing the way families live, move, and engage with the world around them. People stop going to school, to work to the doctor. Children, especially those with special needs, lose access to critical support systems. Parents live in a constant state of anxiety, afraid that any knock at the door could tear their family apart. These aren’t just statistics or “enforcement actions”—these are real people whose lives are being destabilized. I wish lawmakers could see the human cost behind the policies: the fear in a mother’s eyes, the confusion in a child’s face, the silence in once-thriving neighborhoods. This kind of harm isn’t abstract. It’s daily, it’s visible, and it’s preventable.

YV Media: How is Special Needs Network stepping in to help families who are too scared to come out?

Areva: At Special Needs Network, we are deeply committed to supporting families impacted by ICE raids, especially those caring for children with special needs. We provide culturally sensitive outreach and education to help families understand their rights and access legal resources. Our team connects parents with trusted immigration attorneys, offers emergency assistance for housing and basic needs, and facilitates access to vital therapies and support services that children with special needs rely on. We also create safe spaces for families to share their experiences and find community, helping to reduce isolation and fear. Through advocacy and direct support, we strive to protect these vulnerable families and ensure their children continue to receive the care and stability they deserve.

YV Media: What can neighbors, community members, and others do to support these families during this time?

Areva: Neighbors and community leaders play a crucial role in supporting families affected by ICE raids. They can help by raising awareness about the rights of immigrant families and ensuring accurate information is widely available to reduce fear and misinformation. Providing safe, welcoming spaces where families feel supported and connected is essential. Leaders can also collaborate with legal aid organizations to facilitate access to trusted immigration resources and advocate for policies that protect vulnerable communities. Importantly, they can work to strengthen local networks that offer essential services—like healthcare, education, and social support—so families don’t have to choose between safety and the care their children need. By standing visibly with impacted families and amplifying their voices, neighbors and community leaders can help foster resilience and hope amid challenging times.

YV Media: How can people in the community stand with you and support the families you serve right now?

Areva: The community can stand with Special Needs Network by coming together to support families impacted by ICE raids and the unique challenges they face. Whether through volunteering time, donating money and other resources, or simply spreading awareness, every effort helps create a stronger safety net for children with special needs and their families. Community members can attend workshops, advocate for fair immigration policies, and connect families to critical services like legal aid and healthcare. By fostering an environment of understanding, compassion, and solidarity, the community can help reduce fear and isolation, ensuring that these families feel seen, heard, and supported. Together, we can build a more inclusive and resilient community where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

YV Media: What’s your hope moving forward—for both the families and the larger community?

Areva: My hope for the future is that ICE raids no longer force families to live in fear and uncertainty. I dream of communities where all families—regardless of their immigration status—can access the support, care, and stability their children need without hesitation. I hope for policies that prioritize human dignity and protect the most vulnerable, especially children with special needs. Ultimately, I want to see a future where families can thrive together in safety, free from the constant threat of separation.

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Areva’s words remind us that behind every policy are families—real people—facing fear, disruption, and uncertainty. Yet through her work at the Special Needs Network, she shows that hope and community support can make all the difference.

At Your Voice Media, we are honored to share her voice and story with you. Let this feature be a call to stand in Solidarity, Raise Awareness, and Support Organizations fighting for Dignity, Stability, and Justice for FAMILIES everywhere.

- Written by Asia Diamond

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