U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, who represents Colorado’s 7th district in Congress, has raised concerns on social media about the treatment of children detained by ICE and the conditions faced by asylum seekers in U.S. detention centers.
On May 28, 2026, Pettersen posted: “More than 70 Minnesota children were detained by ICE between December and March. Some as young as 2 years old. Teachers say students are coming back from these detention centers showing signs of PTSD — triggered by sirens, loud noises, and bright lights. At least 20 of these kids”.
The following day, she highlighted a specific case involving an asylum-seeking family from India: “A family fled religious persecution in India and sought asylum in the US. Now, after being detained following a routine check-in, the family is regularly going hungry because their religion requires vegetarian meals, and the detention center won’t provide them. This is happening”, (May 29, 2026).
Pettersen also addressed issues affecting veterans’ healthcare access: “Our injured veterans shouldn’t struggle to get the care they need because the federal government isn’t keeping up their end of the bargain. I signed a discharge petition to force a vote on the Major Richard Star Act — legislation that would guarantee medically retired veterans https://t.co/4Ybjk8z80l”, (May 29, 2026).
Brittany Pettersen has served as a member of Congress for Colorado’s 7th District since replacing Ed Perlmutter in 2023. Prior to her current role, she was a member of both chambers of Colorado’s state legislature—serving in the House from 2013 to 2019 and in the Senate from 2019 to 2023. Pettersen was born in Colorado in 1981 and currently resides in Lakewood at age 41. She earned her BA degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
