Children report trauma, anxiety over immigration enforcement

Children in immigrant families are experiencing severe mental health risks because of the aggressive expansion of U.S. immigration enforcement. A special report from Psychiatry Online finds that children are struggling with “chronic fear, instability and trauma” because of police raids in previously safe spaces; forced family separations; and “prolonged and indefinite” detention. The study notes that “children in mixed-status families often live with chronic anticipatory anxiety that a loved one could be detained or deported. These fears have been shown to lead to school absenteeism, academic disengagement, and heightened emotional distress.” President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” included $150 billion for immigration enforcement and border security, and ICE is offering up to $50,000 signing bonuses for new recruits.