Amid the sweeping and drastic new immigration policies from the Trump Administration, there’s understandably a lot of fear. Schools say they’re getting calls from anxious parents, worried their children might be subject to ICE raids, according to the Associated Press. And in a press release about an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit from Denver Public Schools against the Trump administration’s policy allowing ICE arrests in schools, the Council of Great City Schools reported “increased absenteeism, higher anxiety among students, increased bullying, less parental involvement, and heightened fear as a result of the change in guidance,” according to NBC News.
Experts say it’s not surprising that young people targeted (or potentially targeted) by the administration are especially struggling to cope with their mental health. Since taking office in January, Trump has signed orders that increase efforts at denaturalization of some U.S. citizens, prepare to ramp up criminal prosecutions of people entering the U.S. illegally, work to increase the ranks of immigration agents, and more. The administration is showcasing these efforts in dramatic fashion, in ads from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and in gruesome videos featuring shackled deportees on U.S. military planes.
These images and messages are shocking, and seemingly designed to inspire fear among the general public — especially immigrants, those living in the United States in varying immigration status, and their families. For young people in particular, this can have a disastrous impact on mental health as they face deportation themselves or deportation of family and loved ones, as well as discrimination regardless of immigration status.
“Children facing the fear of deportation or family separation often experience chronic anxiety, depression, PTSD, and even suicidality,” Muriel Casamayor, DSW, said in a statement to Teen Vogue. A therapist focusing on Black and Indigenous people of color navigating mental health challenges, Casamayor draws from her own experiences as a first-generation immigrant through her work.
“Many young people internalize shame about their family’s immigration status, struggle with emotional dysregulation, and have difficulty focusing in school. When these stressors intersect with bullying, the risk of severe mental health consequences increases,” Dr. Casamayor said.
A recent report from the American Journal of Managed Care highlights the mental health crisis fueled by Trump’s previous immigration policies, writing that the impacts of these policies “heightened fears in children, causing behavioral changes, sleep and eating problems, psychosomatic symptoms, and mental health issues.” The report continued that “the unexpected separation from parents or guardians inflicted further trauma on these children, according to a 2019 report from the HHS Office of the Inspector General. These experiences often caused stress, anxiety, behavioral issues, and severe mental anguish.”
Many young people, according to Dr. Casamayor, feel dehumanized by these policies, distrustful of institutions that should provide safety, such as schools and law enforcement, fear of family separation due to deportation and face bullying and hate speech. She offered guidance for Latine, immigrant youth and their families:
- Lean on community: Seeking support from immigrant rights groups, Latine organizations, and trusted adults can provide critical emotional and legal resources.
- Mental health care as resistance: Practices like mindfulness, movement, storytelling, and cultural expression can help you navigate stress.
- Know your rights: Educating families on legal protections and safe spaces can provide a sense of agency. Seek information about your rights and what to do if ICE knocks on your door.
- Limit exposure to harmful rhetoric: While staying informed is important, constant exposure to distressing news can exacerbate anxiety. It's OK to choose what and how much news you consumer; setting boundaries around how long you look at social media or what time of day you allow yourself to read the news can help you better cope and focus on what's happening right now — rather than what might happen in the future.
But more than anything, Dr. Casamayor stressed that, no matter what the government says, you are valid.
“It is crucial for young people to know that they belong, they exist, and they are deeply valued,” Dr. Casamayor said.
