Immigration Raids Leave American Children Behind
Study says the damage to kids is mental, emotional and economic
La Opinión, News Report, Maribel Hastings, Translated by Elena Shore, Posted: Nov 01, 2007
Editor's Note: The first report to analyze the impact of immigration raids on kids found profound psychological effects, including depression, post-traumatic stress and even suicidal thoughts. Maribel Hastings writes for the Spanish-language daily newspaper La Opinión.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — For every two adults detained in immigration raids, a child is left behind. Two thirds of these children are U.S. citizens, more than a third are under six years old, and nearly two thirds are under 11, according to a study by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the Urban Institute. The report, “Paying the Price: The Impact of Immigration Raids on America's Children,” is the first to analyze the issue. The authors of the study called on Congress to hold hearings on the experience of children who have been affected by raids.
More than five million children in the United States, three million of whom are U.S. citizens, are at risk of being separated from their parents as a result of raids. These children have at least one parent who is undocumented, and many have already been separated from their families.
Children face short- and long-term psychological damage when they are separated from one or both parents. This can include depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, feelings of abandonment, and suicidal thoughts. Raids also have an economic effect on families and make it harder for children to concentrate in school.
Support networks such as families, churches, schools and non-governmental organizations have also been affected by the raids, which have increased in the absence of comprehensive immigration reform.
"All these kids are at risk because raids are becoming a more common and important tool in the federal government's arsenal” to implement immigration laws, said Randy Capps, demographer for the Urban Institute and co-author of the report.
The study analyzes the effects of raids in three communities: Greeley, Colo., Grand Island, Neb., and New Bedford, Mass.
In these cities, a total of 912 adults were arrested, affecting some 506 children. This year alone, explained Capps, more than 4,000 people have been detained in immigration raids.
Capps told La Opinión that researchers don’t know how many American children have had to leave the United States to reunite with their deported parents. "But it’s something we will be looking into," he said.
Janet Murguía, president and CEO of NCLR, hopes the report leads to more studies on a situation that she said affects "the most vulnerable members of our society." She urged Congress and the government to “separate themselves from the emotions dominating the immigration debate” and find a way to implement laws that guarantee the protection of children.
The report calls on Congress to allocate funds for those who provide support for children after a raid, and for schools and other public agencies to develop response plans. Families should also have their own emergency preparedness plans to decide who will be responsible for the children in case their parents are detained, and have their children’s papers easily accessible, especially if they are U.S. citizens.
According to the report, the experience of detainees varies: some were deported between 24 and 48 hours after the raid (the majority of these were Mexican); others spent up to six months in detention; and large numbers of detainees were transferred to centers out of state. Those who identified themselves as solely responsible for their children or relatives paid fines to the Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The minimum fine is $1,500 dollars, but according to the report, "some interviewees said they paid much more, up to $10,000 in some cases."
An estimated 10 percent of detainees face criminal charges, primarily for the use of false documents.
Rosa Maria Castaneda, a researcher at the Urban Institute, explained that on the day of the raids, immigration authorities were not sensitive to parents' and children’s needs. Many parents didn’t even tell authorities they had children for fear that the state would take custody of them. They weren’t allowed to make phone calls, "even from their own cells," to let their children know they had been arrested.
"In the three places [studied], the kids spent at least a day without a parent," said Castaneda, who added that immediate family members, schools, nannies, and even landlords took over care of the children.
Some families of detainees remained hidden for weeks in basements or closets for fear of immigration authorities.
But the aftermath of raids doesn’t only affect children psychologically. At an economical level, each household affected stops receiving one or more salaries. The informal support networks that act as first responders in an emergency are also affected.
Family members who assumed responsibility for the children ran out of money almost immediately. Out of fear of being deported themselves, they did not seek out services that the children are entitled to as U.S citizens.
Churches and NGOs helped the affected families, but their resources are limited and only lasted three to four months.
Schools also play a role: in the case of Grand Island, some teachers volunteered to drive children home after class.
Support networks have succeeded to the extent that there have been no reports of the state taking custody of the children. But some groups have received calls about children who have been turned in to state authorities.
The congressional bill "Families First," written by Rep. Hilda Solis, D-Calif., and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., calls on immigration authorities to implement more humanitarian policies in the arrests, detentions and processing of the undocumented in the course of worksite raids – especially when the lives of children are at stake.
Related Articles:
The Littlest Deportees
Kidnapped and Repatriated: Children of the Border
Girl among 'Coyotes'
Children March to End Deportations in the Twin Cities
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User Comments
liz on Nov 28, 2007 at 10:27:28 said:
I can see by the way you talk about this issue you have no idea what it feels to be without your family. I met my husband here in the United States and we got married here. After a year of marriage we filed for his papers so he can be here legally. It took the paperwork two whole years. Our lawyer said that he had to leave as soon as possible to Mexico, so he did. My daughter was 6 mths olds. We did what the goverment wanted us to do. I had to raise my little girl on my own for an entire year.Final we got a interview with immigration office. The office denied 6 people at the same time. They told them and my husband their was insufficient evidence. One of the six people was a wife of a police officer in New York. Another women had a sick child that need her.So, don't say nothing if your not in this situation. I am a college student. I am working hard for my future. Do not sit there and stero type us. My father came to this country illegally and got his degree.You have succeded. Mexicans are first to get kick out of the United States, who is next? The real criminals are the people that want to hurt the people of this country, not the ones that come to work. This is an immigrant country, so if we have to go, you have to go to your families native countries. I was born her in the United States and like you have rights I have rights. A person can not help who they love and I love my illegal husband. Congrats, because people so racist like you, my daughter can not be with her father. We are not moving or leaving to Mexico. My daughter has her rights to get an education and have a bright future. Like, every other kid in the country. I don't care if you have a degree or your a doctor, we all have families. I hope that the people that are righting these comments never have to be without your son, daughter, mother, father,etc. That would be sad.
legalatina on Nov 27, 2007 at 05:56:53 said:
Family values? What family values? These irresponsible, ignorant, selfish parents are only looking out for their material betterment. They get here and do they really try to give their kids a better life? The statistics don't bear that out, Hispanic immigrant teens have the highest rate of teen pregnancy, high school drop-out rate, gang affiliation and propensity to commit crimes. Sounds like the parents are doing a really swell job of raising a new, cradle to welfare to jail society for all of us to take care of. Deport them all and they need to take their children with them. bu
D55 on Nov 13, 2007 at 11:54:07 said:
It seems to me that the illegals immigrates, want to have and or bring their children to this country when they as parents have not enetered this country legally in the first place. But when they are caught by ICE and deported the US is tearing their families apart? What utter nonsense!! While I do feel for the children ( as a parent myself I do understand) But nonetheless, the US government has every right to protect it's borders and deport illegals when it sees fit.
I have noticed that all the proud Mexicans don't seem to want to ever address the way the Mexican government treats illegals crossing it's Southern borders. No, they don't want admit that the proud Mexican government's police and soldiers are very brutal to non-Mexican illegally cross it's borders. I think if the Mexican people would go and raise hell and march and be willing to die for more equal treatment and jobs in their own country maybe things would change for the better. But I think that they are too afraid to do so there, because they seem to find it easier to march in the streets of the US then in their own countries.
When I saw all the marching last year I correctly predicted that the illegal immigrants had bitten themselves in the ass, and that now the most US citizens weren't not going be pushed over by all their protesting. Showing your crying children wasn't going to work either because most US citizens of all colors don't want to here it. Do you really think the whole of the US is going to collapse if all the illegals are gone? Nope, we just get along with out you because then US and legal residents will most certainly take all the jobs that you have stolen, and wages will go up again with you gone. You keep saying you are help building this country? FYI, IT"S ALREADLY BUILT!!!
Just to be fair I think we perhaps should give a few a chance a citizen. Maybe after all the immigrant who applied legally are delt with FIRST!!! I don't care if you've been here for 2 or 20 years, if you didn't come in legally no going to the front of the line!!! ICE is corect in it's crackdown it's over 20 years late but it's something.
Geovanny on Nov 12, 2007 at 14:26:17 said:
With all due respect, this words go to: Christian, Chatholics, and Atheist, . i'm pretty sure most of you guys are smart, intelligent, skillful, ect. You guys have learned throughout your whole life to differentiate right from wrong, and you'll never stop learning. Using logic/common sense is what you guys are probably better at. i admire that. I'm also sure most of you carry a certain level of wisdom (for those who beliefe in such quality). Which, perhaps building it is the most important GOAL in all of our lives. Also, i'm sure that at least one of you is atheist. There's alwasys that chance. lets make it clear. I do not consider atheist bad people. I do not hate them. i just consider them weak and unfortunate, in TERMS of wisdom. I'am not a chatholic nor a religious person. But i do believe there's an undescribeable devine MIND or ENERGY that cannot, yet, be measure by science nor religion. i do LISTEN to what most religions, goverment parties, etc. have to say. Because belive me, listening comes BEFORE judging. Who are we to judge anyway. Specially those who denominate themselves as Cristians, Chatolics, etc. I'm sure providing you statistics, proofs, documentation that prove whether illigal immigrants are good or bad, are not going to change your philosophy. Plus, we all have the "FREE WILL" to do our own research. let me say the simplest reasons why it wouldn't change your believes. because you guys are not in the shoes of an "illigal immigrant." (Perhaps a word that your God has never included in your Bible) Because you guys belief that loving your Country is more important than loving your God. if you think these statements are wrong than keep on using ONLY your cold mind, instead, of both your mind and heart. Perhaps, those two qualities are exactly what Jesus, YOUR God, would have used in YOUR shoes before judging your OWN "brother and sister."
Geovanny on Nov 12, 2007 at 14:18:34 said:
With all due respect, this words go to: Christian, Chatholics, and Atheist, . i'm pretty sure most of you guys are smart, intelligent, skillful, ect. You guys have learned throughout your whole life to differentiate right from wrong, and you'll never stop learning. Using logic/common sense is what you guys are probably better at. i admire that. I'm also sure most of you carry a certain level of wisdom (for those who beliefe in such quality). Which, perhaps building it is the most important GOAL in all of our lives. Also, i'm sure that at least one of you is atheist. There's alwasys that chance. lets make it clear. I do not consider atheist bad people. I do not hate them. i just consider them weak and unfortunate, in TERMS of wisdom. I'am not a chatholic nor a religious person. But i do believe there's an undescribeable devine MIND or ENERGY that cannot, yet, be measure by science nor religion. i do LISTEN to what most religions, goverment parties, etc. have to say. Because belive me, listening comes BEFORE judging. Who are we to judge anyway. Specially those who denominate themselves as Cristians, Chatolics, etc. I'm sure providing you statistics, proofs, documentation that prove whether illigal immigrants are good or bad, are not going to change your philosophy. Plus, we all have the "FREE WILL" to do our own research. let me say the simplest reasons why it wouldn't change your believes. because you guys are not in the shoes of an "illigal immigrant." (Perhaps a word that your God has never included in your Bible) Because you guys belief that loving your Country is more important than loving your God. if you think these statements are wrong than keep on using ONLY your cold mind, instead, of both your mind and heart. Perhaps, those two qualities are exactly what Jesus, YOUR God, would have used in YOUR shoes before judging your OWN "brother and sister."
Geo on Nov 12, 2007 at 14:06:17 said:
So the issue is against brown people (Mexicans), not european, not asian, not irish, etc. I bet you, if the entire Mexican race was white-caucasian, you racist people would make us an exception. your arguments are full of ignorance. someone quoted once,"You see, we have to be re-imbursed for our expenses to support the Mexican nationals living here illegally!" in response to it: we immigrants PAY TAXES AS well as citizens do. the marjority of us get paid extermely low. I have really close white citizen friends. one of them earns as much as me, and is single as me. Believe me, his tax-return money is almost double as mine. But you don't see us complaining about it. You guys don't allow us to have medical service, but you guys sure allow us to consume in this country. You guys allow us to pay for our college/University tuition but you guys don't allow us to earn a degree. Unlike you, i do not generalize. i belive that some immigrants in this country do not deserve to be here. i do belive they have to earn it. I'm sorry to say this but your lack of wisdom is going to consume you some day. Let me ask you something. Are you a Christian? If so What would your Jesus do for humanity. Do you think immigration would be an issue to him (TO YOUR GOD)? I don't have to be a religious person in order to realize Jesus would prefer to UNIFY, rather than to DIVIDE. Do you think the laws of any country come before the laws of your GOD!!!
dc on Nov 07, 2007 at 14:36:52 said:
Obiviously people do not come to this country to break laws nor to do harm i do not and cannot speak for everyone but most poeple come here for a better life. by pointing saying that immigrants are breaking laws is hypocritical and is only meant to criminalize them in the public imaginiation.if as stated above immigrants should not have any rights here then they should in turn not be bound by the laws that govern america. when the first settlers came to this country did they not break laws? did they not take indian land commit genocide??? how about that? manifest destiniy ring a bell to any of you? what does it mean to be an american citizen? we deny the opportunity and the \"rights\" to these incoming immigrants but many of you forget that your forefathers found this land on injustice, crime, murder and illegality. however it is neglectied today what american values were truly built on and it is hypocracy to criminalize these people who do truly want a chance at something better.
Char on Nov 06, 2007 at 08:21:14 said:
The Immigration situation is a catch 22. Yes the parents should not be here legally, but the same law that makes the children U.S. citizens comes from the same people who set up the Immigration laws. You can't discuss one without the others. I believe that people have a natural right to some things like self respect and fair treatment. Even though there are many people here that are illegal they still have common rights of decency and respect. Some are arrested as they are going through the process, should they be deported too. We should not judge for you don't know their struggle or their reason. It cost alot of money to be freed from torture.
Clair on Nov 05, 2007 at 05:40:38 said:
oiooiujuuiu
DinTN on Nov 03, 2007 at 17:11:24 said:
END ANCHOR BABIES!!!
Join:
www.numbersusa.com
www.fairus.org
www.alipac.us
www.capwiz.com
Bill would eliminate automatic birthright citizenship for anchor babies!
Ask your representative to support this bill!
HR 1940 would end the practice of granting automatic citizenship to the U.S.-born children of illegal aliens. Nearly every other country, including all members of the European Union, requires that at least one parent be a citizen or permanent resident for a child to automatically become a citizen.
The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2007, by Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA), would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate birthright citizenship.
====
Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Campaign Support Petition
www.petitiononline.com/ronpaul1/petition.html
RON PAUL - TOM TANCREDO IN \'08!
*Physically secure our borders and coastlines.
*Track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays.
*End birthright citizenship.
*No Amnesty.
*End \"Catch & Release\"
*No welfare for illegal aliens.
and......BUILD THE FENCE!
\"It\'s Your Country. Take It Back.\" Tom Tancredo
42itus1 on Nov 03, 2007 at 13:13:47 said:
Two wrongs don't make a right!!!! Having illegal babies as illegal immigrants in no way makes them American. Where you spread your legs and drop it doesn't determine its citizenship. There is a serious wrong there that needs to be corrected when they apply for benefits. Hell, have a lot of rallies across America for illegals and then we can round ALL of them up and deport them immediately. I got your gringo right here in my hand, culero.....Estoy hasta la madre!
K. Dupre on Nov 03, 2007 at 11:18:05 said:
Hello There,
Parents who bring children into this country illegally are irresponsible and should be reported to child services. It is s-o-o-o-o simple to get one of the unlimited numbers of work permits or to apply to this country for residency there is simply no excuse for these people to harm their children this way!
Please report the WHOLE story instead of the one that supports illegal activity!
Sincerely,
K. Dupre
Merk on Nov 03, 2007 at 10:28:48 said:
The parents being in this country illegally are causing the problems for their own children. They are the ones breaking the laws and therefore inflicting harm on their own children. Follow the U.S. laws and toss them. End the trauma for the kids and deport them too.
And... No NAU!
Merk on Nov 03, 2007 at 09:20:14 said:
The parents being in this country illegally are causing the problems for their own children. They are the ones breaking the laws and therefore inflicting harm on their own children. Follow the U.S. laws and toss them. End the trauma for the kids and deport them too.
And... No NAU!
howard on Nov 03, 2007 at 07:46:06 said:
As was stated before illegal persons should have no rights at all in this country, so how can we be interferring with their rights???? When they are detained by authorities they should be deported immediately along with their children back to their country of origin and let their mother country look out for their benefits.We as citizens in america should not be held responsible for the well being of all the people in this world.Secondly this idea of giving illegal aliens a drivers license in New York and a few other states is another way of aiding the illegals with an identification card that can and will be used for everything that the american citizen has available to him, such as medical, social, and educational services, and draining our resources.
marie Batten on Nov 03, 2007 at 03:35:35 said:
Illegall aliens should not be allowed to have children in U. S. hospitals and then have those children called U S citizens...they are not. I should not be forced to pay for their health care/education at the expense of children born to legal U S citizens. This is crazy and our representatives should be held responsible. We should all make this The Issue at election time.
DinTN on Nov 02, 2007 at 10:45:11 said:
Anyone who knows the real truth behind La Raza would take any report of theirs seriously!
Should be:
Anyone who knows the real truth behind La Raza would NOT take any report of theirs seriously!
DinTN on Nov 02, 2007 at 10:38:29 said:
No, Caren, your friend's husband was given 26 years notice not two weeks. Don't say he didn't know until he got the knock at the door that he is an ILLEGAL.
Well, another completely RACIST and BIASED report from the Latino "we hate all Americans" society!
"....according to a study by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR)..."
Anyone who knows the real truth behind La Raza would take any report of theirs seriously!
MEChA's founding principles state: "In the spirit of a new people that is conscious not only of its proud historical heritage but also of the brutal gringo invasion of our territories, we, the Chicano inhabitants and civilizers of the northern land of Aztlan from whence came our forefathers, reclaiming the land of their birth and consecrating the determination of our people of the sun, declare that the call of our blood is our power, our responsibility, and our inevitable destiny... Aztlan belongs to those who plant the seeds, water the fields, and gather the crops and no to the foreign Europeans...
"For La Raza to do. Fuera de la Raza nada."
That closing two-sentence motto is chilling to everyone who values equal rights for all. It says:
"For The Race everything. Outside The Race, nothing."
These words don't come from a fringe radical element. These come straight from the official MEChA sites at Georgetown University, the University of Texas, UCLA, University of Michigan, University of Oregon, and many other colleges and universities around the country.
Professor Jose Angel Gutierrez, founder of La Raza Unida Party, Director of "Movimiento Latino USA de Los Angeles", has proudly said: “We have an aging white America… . They are dying… . They are ******** in their pants with fear! I love it!” He then demands: “We have got to eliminate the gringo, and what I mean by that is if the worst comes to the worst, we have got to kill him.”
Audio clips of the true agenda of Illegal Alien Lobby and the agendas of MEChA, La Raza, MALDEF, and Southwest Voter Registration Projects:
theamericanresistance.com/race_industry/true_agenda_audio.html
The following organizations have been found to contribute to the National Council of La Raza ("The Race").
theamericanresistance.com/race_industry/laraza_contributors.html#u
Anyone who would leave their own child behind deserves to loose them permanently! Pathetic!
McMorty on Nov 02, 2007 at 08:35:44 said:
Caren: 26 years? In 1986 Illegals were given amnesty so why didn't he jump on that band wagon? Why had he not applied for legal status before now? You only present one side of the story, which makes it hard to feel sorry for someone who chose to put his family in a situation where they will have to pay for his poor planning and parenting.
Note the source of this study and you will see that it is biased.
Dr Coles on Nov 02, 2007 at 08:18:31 said:
All criminals chose to harm their children; it’s there choice to be criminals.
Illegal Aliens and Immigration is NOT the same thing. 80% of the American people want an end to anarchy!
Illegal (aliens) workers are criminals, those who hire them are criminals and those who aid-and-abet them are criminals.
Illegal aliens in America have NO rights. We are required by law to arrest and prosecute, deport them. (Title 8 U.S. Code)
No, matter your political party affiliation, and setting aside your thoughts on issues. We all need to remember what it is to be an American Citizen. We need to make sure our elected representatives obey their Oath of Office and keep their Oath of Allegiance.
See www.tinyurl.com/2znnvl Know whom you are voting for.
sean on Nov 02, 2007 at 07:04:34 said:
The children of illegal aliens should not be U.S. citizens.in Ireland we were besieged by illegal aliens arriving heavily pregnant ,some of them giving birth ib Dublin airport,gaining citizenship and anchoring themselves here.
There was a referendum to amend the Constitution and despite extreme provocation and race baiting by the hard left and socioethnic lobbyists the referendum was passed by 80% of the electorate.
The problem of illegal aliens attacking Ireland in huge numbers to give birth stopped overnight.
Maybe the solution is for Americans not to recognise these children as US citizens and boycott them from schools etc.if illegal aliens get away with breaking the law why should Americans recognise the validity of their attackers progeny to citizenship benefits.?
Caren on Nov 02, 2007 at 04:05:38 said:
A wonderful co-worker of mine whose husband is from another country and has been here for 26 years may become a single mother of 5 children nearly immediately as her husband may be deported. They were given 2 weeks notice and have great lawyers who have fought this for years and will continue to fight. This man is an integral part of our community and has worked and volunteered for many years. He has not been to his country of origin since he was a child and has no family there. His case is important to legal precedence and his rights have been denied over and over again. My eyes are opened, sadly, to the scope of harrassment of immigrants and their families.
edla67 on Nov 02, 2007 at 01:08:34 said:
Ridiculously biased study
What about when the \'migrant\' chooses to leave Mexico to try a better life in the US, does this not break a family in Mexico? Does this not cause children to be away from parents?
What about the emotional stress and trauma of millions of Americans who see their country fading into Mexico?
Smith on Nov 01, 2007 at 19:27:01 said:
The parents of illegals knowingly put their children at risk in a gamble to improve their (own and their children's) lives. When they lose, they need to accept it. It is they who should take the blame, not a country enforcing its own laws.
william on Nov 01, 2007 at 18:04:07 said:
No kidding? The kids are hurt. I'm not surprised. Children belong with their parents. Why do deported illegal aliens cause their kids to be hurt? Why won't they bring them (like responsible parents do)? Those kids want their parents. Do illegal alien parents want their kids? Do they care?
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