Pobrecitos Los Niños: The Emotional Impact of Anti-Immigration Policies on Latino Youth

Purpose: The United States federal government and the state of Arizona have enacted anti-immigration policies which place the well-being of children in immigrant families at risk and encourage hostile attitudes towards immigrant communities (Androff et al., 2011).  Latino children in immigrant families are more likely to experience family separation via deportation, heightened stress from discrimination and exploitative practices, and economic insecurity (Fix & Zimmerman, 2001; Pérez, 2004; Ayón & Becerra, 2013).  Limited research has previously examined the effects of policy changes and attitudes on the emotional development of Latino youth (Brabeck & Xu, 2010).  The purpose of this study is to examine Latino immigrant parents’ perceptions on how Latino youth are emotionally impacted by anti-immigration policies in the state of Arizona.  

Methods: Participants were recruited from three non-profit community organizations that serve Latino families in Arizona.  Immigrant parents with children between the ages of 7-12 were eligible to participate.  A total of 54 participants completed in-depth semi-structured interviews.  The interview guide included a series of questions relating to the impact of immigration policies on children.  All participants were first generation Latino immigrant parents; 96.3% were Mexican; 79.6% were female; approximately 70% did not graduate high school; 63% reported that all of their children were born in the Unites States; and 35.2% reported mixed nationalities of children born both in the United States and in a Latin American country.  Informed by grounded theory; a constant comparative approach was used between and within transcripts while completing initial and focused coding. To support the trustworthiness of the study, the analysis was conducted by two team members to reduce researcher bias and substantial quotes are featured to augment the credibility of the study.       

Results: Parents observed a range of behavioral changes in their children following the passage of anti-immigrant legislation.  Latino youth experienced negative effects of laws, such as SB1070 and mandatory E-Verify utilization, in their homes, schools, communities and through the media.  The emotional impact experienced by Latino youth is summarized in the following themes, concern and sense of responsibility; fear and hypervigilance; sadness and crying; and depression.  Parents reported their children expressed constant fear and concern that the threat of deportation would lead to family separation and felt responsible for improving their families’ circumstances.  These conditions led to consistent displays of hypervigilance, sadness and crying. In some instances the changes in children’s behavior were so severe that parents considered their children to be depressed and in need of clinical intervention.

Conclusions and Implications:  Additional mental health services targeting Latino youth in immigrant families are needed.  Social work practitioners in immigrant dense communities need to be aware of the challenges immigrant families encounter and the emotional development of Latino youth.  Training is needed to ensure services provided to these families are culturally informed and contextually sound.  Preventative efforts should also be supported by community based agencies conducting educational workshops that serve immigrant populations to educate parents on child mental health.