Mental Health Crisis Among Children Linked to ICE Raids

Psychologists and teachers are warning about the long-term impact on the mental health of minors linked to ICE raids. Many children have stopped attending school due to fear of being arrested, a trend noted by teachers in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

For instance, a teacher reported that a third of her students stopped attending school when the raids began in Los Angeles. The concerns escalated after the deportation of family members, leading to increased responsibilities for children, such as caring for siblings or working to support their families.

Teachers are attempting to mitigate this by raising funds and establishing food drives to keep students engaged in school. Children are expressing fears of deportation, indicating a deep-rooted anxiety affecting their ability to concentrate on studies.

Cynthia Langtiw, a clinical psychologist, emphasizes that the trauma inflicted by trusted figures, like government agents, leads to betrayal trauma at a societal level. Studies from Stanford University and the University of Rochester have highlighted significant spikes in absenteeism and drops in test scores among Latino students in response to increased ICE activity.

The psychological toll includes sleep and eating problems, socialization difficulties, and heightened feelings of anxiety and depression. Manny Chavez, a high school student from Hillsboro, Oregon, expressed the terror children feel regarding their parents' safety and the harsh judgments they face.

Experts recommend open communication between parents and children and the necessity of professional psychological support. Schools are taking measures to protect students, including locking doors and organizing safety patrols.

However, many families are considering returning to their countries of origin to avoid the risk of separation. According to Professor Thomas Dee, enrollment data is expected to show significant declines in the hardest-hit districts due to these fears.

This situation highlights the intersection of immigration policy and mental health, particularly in vulnerable populations, indicating a growing mental health crisis among children affected by ICE operations.