Advice given for treating immigrant population
America is a “nation of immigrants,’ as President Kennedy once said, where we like to think of ourselves as a land of refuge and promise. What we have proudly labelled a “melting pot” has at times, however, appeared ready to boil over, never more so than now.
With the new administration’s raids on immigrant populations and the threat of deportation for up to 20 million people, that promise of the “American Dream” has, instead, become a nightmare of anxiety for some immigrant families.
Today, one-fourth of children and one-third of young adults are first or second generation. There are an estimated 4.5 million children living with one or more family members at risk of being deported and 725,000 children with either no legal authorization or waiting for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) permanent status.
Migration is never easy, leaving home and extended family and everything familiar, but many people take the risk to escape a bad situation or to build a better life for themselves or their children.
“The process of immigration is one of great promise,” said Carola Suarez-Orozco, Ph.D., professor in residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the director of the Immigration Initiative there. “But, even in normal circumstances, it is also one of turmoil and change and transition.”
Suarez-Orozco studies the effects of immigration on children, adolescents, young adults, and families and how school climates affect feelings of inclusion and support. She fears we are headed down a path of chaos, cruelty, and inhumanity from which it will be difficult to recover.
“Xenophobia brings out strong, often uniformed, feelings. Politicians, the media, and social media are using immigrants as scapegoats for a lot of the ills of society. How do we create a sense of safety, of belongingness in this environment?” she said. “And the answer is that I don’t think we can and my sense is that it is going to be like this for a while.”
As a profession that works to provide a safe space for individuals to thrive, what can psychology do?
First, said Suarez-Orozco, is learn as much as possible about the facts of U.S. immigration, the issues faced, the stigma and the lies being told about levels of criminality, open borders, levels of education, and mental health status.
Also, she advised, gather facts to use for advocating in communities and within your own social circles, as professionals but also as human beings.
“My experience is that a lot of mental health professionals may be unaware of the realities of these children’s lives,” said Suarez-Orozco. “No one is expected to know every policy because it is always changing, but get aware.”
Secondly, in practice, create a safe space for immigrant populations. Have books in many languages or addressing the immigrant experience or featuring different faces and backgrounds.
Decorate with butterflies, which are symbolic of migration. Have “Know Your Rights” cards or pamphlets available (sold through online sites like the Immigrant Legal Resource Center).
In conversation, do not ask anyone if they have an undocumented family member. Instead, be sure clients know they are in a safe space to discuss their situation and that you are obligated to follow confidentiality rules. (And, just in case, do not add this information to therapy notes).
“A lot of kids are scared to say anything,” said Suarez-Orozco. “But kids need a place to be able to talk about it. Let them know that ‘whatever you say inside this room stays inside this room.'”
She added, “Let them know you are an ally.”