The people supported Ezra, and wanted to please him and God. At the suggestion of one of the leaders, the men who had married foreign women while in exile sent their wives away. Any children they had with their foreign wives were sent away as well. The people wanted to be rid of anyone who might tempt them to turn after other gods. Of note, Ezra 10:44 in the Christian Bible says the wives and children were turned away. Ezra 10:44 in the Hebrew Bible does not say that. In the Hebrew Bible, their fate is left unknown.