In a powerful photograph by Carol Guzy, a family is torn apart as Luis, the sole provider, is detained by ICE agents after an immigration hearing in New York City on August 26, 2025. The image, named Photo of the Year, captures the heart-wrenching moment when Luis’s daughters cling to him in despair. This scene, documented in one of the few federal buildings allowing photographers, highlights the impact of U.S. immigration policies that have led to family separations. Guzy, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, emphasizes the importance of capturing these moments to shed light on the human cost of such policies. The family, originally from Ecuador, has since disappeared from the support network that was helping them, leaving their current situation unknown.
QUESTION: How might witnessing or experiencing family separations due to immigration policies influence young people’s views on justice and government?
World Press Photo announces Photo of the Year 2026
