February 2, 2026 | CalMatters
In this article, CalMatters reporter Carolyn Jones shines a light on the impact that immigration enforcement activities are having on the Early Learning and Care community in California, where almost 40% of the workforce is foreign-born and more than a million parents — immigrant and otherwise — rely on child care providers so they can go to work. She interviews Early Edge’s Executive Director Patricia Lozano who underscores how these activities are disrupting the lives of young children and families including around their child care attendance.
The tightening of the child care industry has been an extra burden on families who are already juggling the demands of work and home life. Child care is expensive and hard to find in California — the immigration crackdown has made it even harder.
“The impact, especially on women, is bigger than we can imagine,” said Patricia Lozano, executive director of Early Edge California, which advocates for early childhood education.
But it’s the children who might suffer the most, she said. Not only are some missing their regular child care providers, but those with immigrant parents may be experiencing stress at home and a disruption of their routine.
“Kids benefit from going to child care. That’s a healthy, safe place for them to be,” Lozano said.