The effect of deportation on local children

Children who experience the deportation of a parent may face emotional disorders, both in childhood and later in life.

Immigration authorities are being criticized for their policy of the deportation of law abiding, non-violent parents of young children in the U.S.

Described by the Department of Justice as “Zero Tolerance,” the policy reversed the previous precedent, which discouraged authorities from deporting parents of children with no criminal record.

U.S. Census data shows that about 4.1 million children with US citizenship live with at least one undocumented parent. The impact of these actions on a child’s health and familial bonds are numerous. For example, financial issues often plague families with a member deported. People who lose a working member of their family often struggle to keep their bills paid and a roof over their heads.

Financial and mental issues like these have a lasting impact on kids, even in Chandler.

Students at San Marcos Elementary School, a Title 1 school on Frye Road, have been personally affected by deportation.

San Marcos counselor, Mrs. Ballew, said, “We have had several students affected by deportation here… I see worry after the deportation, and some stress, some anxiety… Sometimes they worry for the parent that is left here, too.”

Children can be permanently impacted by the removal of a parent, and it’s not uncommon for stress, anxiety, and other emotional disorders to be present in children whose families are affected.

Children with parents that are deported are known to experience increased rates of behavioral issues, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Studies have also found post-traumatic stress disorder in higher rates among these children.

In many of the communities where parents are deported in the greatest numbers, mostly low-income areas, mental health resources are severely lacking.

However, the counselor also said, “Our district provides school counselors and social workers. We are so lucky, in our district, that we have school counselors and social workers.” It‘s beneficial for students to have access to a trained professional to help them deal with the trauma.

The resources provided are meant to ease the pain of the deportation of a parent. School counselors are on each campus, readily available for students, and social workers can provide families with additional aid.

This is a traumatic experience that children are going through. Children will continue to face challenging issues as a result of parental deportation, but resources like these can help.