Anyone that has had a close loved one go away for a length of time knows how hard it can be to say goodbye. Even a small period of separation can lead to stress and anxiety. Now imagine that you are saying goodbye to a loved one without knowing when or if you will see him or her again. For many immigrants living in the Los Angeles area without legal status, this is a sad reality when one of their loved ones is deported.
One such immigrant is experiencing firsthand the negative side effects of having a loved one taken away. The woman’s husband is being deported. She has four children, at least one of whom, a 13-year-old, experiences anxiety symptoms and asks her questions that show real fear for his future.
Not surprisingly, this kind of stress and anxiety can have a real impact not only on the mental health of immigrants, but also on their physical health. These results were found from a new report from the Human Impact Partners (HIP) aimed at looking into the ways deportation and detention can have an effect on immigrant children and families. As a result of the negative impacts that often occur with these types of situations, HIP recommends putting a stop to mass detention and deportation programs.
If you or a loved one is faced with the threat of deportation, you may wish to speak with an immigration attorney. A lawyer can review your case and may be able to help stop the deportation proceedings.
Source: Politic 365, “Family Unity Provisions in Immigration Bill Tied to Heath Outcomes for Immigrant Families,” Maegan Ortiz, June 5, 2013
