Civil rights veteran draws parallels between 1965 Selma and 2026 immigration enforcement
An investigation found at least 79 children harmed by chemical munitions during President Donald Trump’s immigration campaign, prompting calls for mental health support from medical experts and civil rights figures.
Charles Mauldin, a 78-year-old civil rights veteran, recalls the suffocating sensation of tear gas as he stood near the front of the line during the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. Now, watching reports of federal immigration officers deploying chemical munitions against children in 2026, Mauldin describes a haunting repetition of trauma that mirrors his experiences as a 17-year-old on Edmund Pettus Bridge.
An investigation has identified at least 79 children who suffered physical harm from tear gas or pepper spray during President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign. The injuries range from hives and respiratory issues to severe asthma attacks, with victims including a six-month-old infant who briefly stopped breathing after a canister rolled under their vehicle.
Mauldin, who stood just two rows behind John Lewis during the historic march, said the experience of being tear-gassed left an emotional toll that he is still processing. He advised children affected by the current enforcement actions to seek mental health support, warning that untreated trauma can become a lifelong burden.
Medical experts have echoed these concerns, emphasising the potential for long-term psychological and physical impacts. Dr Sarita Chung of Boston Children’s Hospital and Dr Andrew Racine of the American Academy of Pediatrics noted that children may struggle with sleep, concentration, and eating, with some reactions persisting well beyond the initial exposure.
The Department of Homeland Security maintained that its officers did not target children and that the use of chemical munitions was justified to uphold the rule of law and protect personnel from rioters. However, there is no national standard governing the use of these weapons by federal immigration officers, and no single entity tracks every instance of their deployment or the subsequent health outcomes for bystanders.
In locations such as Portland, Oregon, and Broadview, Illinois, families report repeated exposure to chemical agents near immigration facilities. Parents have sought urgent care for children suffering from throat irritation and breathing difficulties, while legal declarations highlight chronic respiratory issues developing months after initial exposure.
Mauldin, the last living person from the front line of the 1965 march, said he only began to fully process his own trauma after visiting the bridge with historians. He stressed that acknowledging the psychological damage is essential for recovery, noting that suppressing such experiences can limit a person’s ability to move forward.
