A
new report issued by George Washington University
states that the immigration policies of the Trump administration are stressing
out Latino parents and children alike, which is likely to result in anxiety,
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health problems
for the long-term. Even worse, this study concludes that the resulting
mental health problems inevitably will lead to higher costs for society
as a whole, in terms of a failure to thrive in school, pressure on the
healthcare system, and higher rates of criminal activity and substance
abuse. These problems are not just affecting undocumented immigrants;
even individuals with legal immigration status who are living in the U.S.
are experiencing harassment and stress due to existing immigration policies.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, involved
in-depth interviews of over 200 Latino parents, including U.S. citizens,
legal permanent residents, and those with temporary protected status (TPS).
About 75% of the children born to these individuals were U.S. citizens,
and the rest of the children are eligible for the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. All of those interviewed reported fears
about loved ones being deported, as well as harassment from police and
other authorities. Teachers and other educators also noticed immediate
changes in children following the 2016 elections, which were full of anti-immigrant
rhetoric. Children expressed constant fear, even if they were not themselves
at risk of deportation. The teachers reported increased aggression in
children, which is an immature coping mechanism often seen in children,
as well as a higher rate of children dropping out of sports and after-school
activities, as their parents no longer want them to be away from home
after school hours. Previously outgoing children have become more introverted,
isolated, and some are shutting down altogether. These findings are directly
in line with the findings of another report that the Civil Rights Project
at the University of California, Los Angeles, recently released. As you
fight for your rights while detained or during deportation proceedings,
we are dedicated to providing you with the essential legal advice that
you need in this situation. We are here to represent your interests before
the immigration court and appeal any adverse decisions, if warranted.
We devote all of our efforts to advocating on behalf of you and your family
before the immigration court. Don’t hesitate to contact the
Bay Area immigration lawyers
of
Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., and set up your legal consultation today. We are here to help.
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