They just took him: Impacts of immigration enforcement on U.S. citizen Latino adolsecents’ well-being

Abstract

Background Escalating interior immigration enforcement by the Trump administration threatens U.S. Latino immigrant families, yet systematic evidence is limited regarding the impacts of immigration enforcement in this community. Our study explored lived experiences of U.S.-citizen adolescents affected by various levels of immigration enforcement, including parental deportation. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with adolescents (13-17 years old, N = 7) who experienced-or were at risk of-parental deportation as part of a larger, on-going longitudinal study. Interviews queried after their health, family life, perceived discrimination, conceptualization of today's anti-immigrant climate and, if applicable, the circumstances and impact of their parent's deportation. A preliminary qualitative analysis of the interviews was conducted. Interview summaries were created and reviewed systematically. Major themes and qualitative assertions were derived and discussed by the analytical team. Results Parental detainment/deportation was inherently violent and traumatic and had profound mental/emotional, physical, socio-cultural and economic consequences for separated adolescents as they assumed adult roles and responsibilities. The threat of deportation negatively affected the well-being of adolescents with deportable parents, resulting in increased vigilance and stress. Participants were ambivalent regarding their desire to talk about the risk of deportation or their experiences with it, as well as their own identities as Latinx citizens. They also reported feelings of isolation, discrimination and victimization related to immigration enforcement. Conclusions Anticipated and experienced parental deportation negatively affects health and well-being among U.S.-citizen adolescents. Family-friendly immigration policies, community-based interventions, and family counseling are critical to protect this vulnerable population. Key messages Following deportation, the deportee’s family—especially their U.S.-citizen adolescents—are profoundly and negatively affected. Even the threat of deportation stresses adolescents and their families and results in negative psychosocial outcomes.

Systems of Oppression: The Impact of Discrimination on Latinx Immigrant Adolescents’ Well‐Being and Development

“…First‐ and second‐generation Latinx immigrant adolescents reported anti‐immigrant policies led them to feeling threatened, marginalized, afraid, and angry (Wray‐Lake et al., 2018). Moreover, Latinx adolescents experienced emotional and physical disruptions in their development when a parent was deported or at‐risk of being deported (Tellez Lieberman et al., 2020). Latinx adolescents who experienced a family member being deported in past year experienced an increased risk of suicidal ideation, alcohol use, and behavioral problems, likely due to heightened cognitive awareness of the current anti‐immigrant climate (Roche et al., 2020).…”

A novel multifamily treatment targeting symptoms related to Latinx caregiver deportation.

“…The detrimental impact of losing a parent to immigration-related separation is well documented. Most notably, several studies have shown increased trauma symptoms in Latinx children following deportation of a parent (Lieberman et al, 2020; Lovato, 2019). In a study comparing Latinx children ages 6–12 years of detained/deported parents with children whose parents were permanent residents or unauthorized immigrants without prior contact with immigration enforcement, Rojas-Flores et al (2017) found significantly higher PTSD, externalizing, and internalizing symptoms among the children experiencing separation.…”