California is bracing for large-scale immigration raids – and groups that advocate for children are speaking out against the climate of fear.
Recently an 11-year-old girl in Texas committed suicide after allegedly being bullied about her family’s immigration status.
Mayra Alvarez – the president of The Children’s Partnership, which is based in LA – said the sense of dread that a parent might be deported is extremely stressful and can lead to physical illness.
“That day to day worrying,” said Alvarez, “that leads to a host of health issues, everything from increased anxiety, and depression, to stomachaches, to behaviors that aren’t reflective of who they are.”
Almost half of California’s 9 million children have at least one immigrant parent. One in ten, or about a million children, have an undocumented parent. And one in five lives in a mixed-status family.
California legislators passed Assembly Bill 699 to protect immigrant students, but schools cannot block Immigration and Customs Enforcement from coming on campus if they have a court order.
The Trump administration has changed the rules to clear the way for immigration raids in sensitive locations like churches, hospitals, and schools – something Alvarez condemned.
“Immigration enforcement actions shouldn’t unnecessarily deter immigrants – again, many of those immigrants are parents of U.S. citizen children – from participating in those very essential activities,” said Alvarez, “dropping their kids off at school, going to the doctor, going to church or other religious services.”
Advocates are praising local efforts to inform people of their rights and help parents make a plan in case a family member is detained by agents with ICE.
