Problem and Background

 

The United States is engaged in a strong debate about immigration policy, particularly with regard to unauthorized or illegal immigrants. Debates rage about the economic contributions of immigrants to the U.S. economy, job competition, tax payments and the integration of immigrants in communities and the larger society. Largely absent from the discussion are the children of immigrants. Today there are an estimated 5.5 million children with unauthorized immigrant parents, about three-quarters of whom are U.S.-born citizens (Chaudry, Capps, Pedroza, Castaneda, Stantos & Scott, 2010). Unlike other children in this country, the children of unauthorized/illegal immigrants live with the fear that their parents might be arrested, detained, or deported. The federal government spends billions each year to arrest, detain, and deport immigrants, many of whom are parents. By one estimate, in the last 10 years, over 100,000 immigrant parents of U.S. citizen children have been deported from the United States (Chaudry, Capps, Pedroza, Castaneda, Stantos & Scott, 2010).

 

Immigration enforcement activities by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement agencies operating under ICE have drastically increased over the past decade (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2010). Once an undocumented parent is detained by ICE, often times they are unable to make child-care arrangements, resulting in their child or children being placed into the child welfare system. Once in the foster care system, it is nearly impossible for a detained parent to reunify with this child or children, especially if they are transferred to an out-of-state detention center or deported (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2010). According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation (2010), family separations and deportation brings lots of economic hardship in the family and behavioral changes in the child.

 

Family separation and deportation creates economic hardship for these children and their families. When families lost a working parent because they are detained or deported, housing instability and food insufficiency occur (Xu & Brabeck, 2012). Job and income loss occurs when undocumented immigrants’ worksites are raided by ICE. Families lost workers who held full-time employment that generally made their families self-sufficient (Chaudry, Capps, Pedroza, Castaneda, Stantos & Scott, 2010). Job loss and income is associated with housing instability within these immigrant families. Many families started out in crowded conditions but saved enough income to moving into a home of their own. After job site raids, detention or deportation, of their bread winner, these families are forced to move in with relatives to save housing cost (Dreby, 2012). Job-income loss is also associated with food hardship. Families have reported having difficulties with purchasing food “sometime” or “frequently” in the months after a parental arrest or deportation (Chaudry, Capps, Pedroza, Castaneda, Stantos & Scott, 2010). Nearly two out of three parents reduced the size of the family’s meals, over half ate less than before, and more than a fifth reported having experienced hunger because they did not have enough to eat. These changes create instability in these children’s lives, causing them to have harder time adjusting to their environment and creating behavioral issues.

 

 

After a raid or other arrest, about two-thirds of children experienced changes in eating and sleeping habits. More than half of children cried more often and were more afraid, and more than a third were more anxious, withdrawn, clingy, angry, or aggressive (Chaudry, Capps, Pedroza, Castaneda, Stantos & Scott, 2010). A study conducted by the University of Arizona following the passage of the state’s immigration law (S.B.1070) revealed that students demonstrated increased anger and stress-related ailments, including stomach aches, migraines, and panic attacks (Lopez, 2011). These children are traumatized by seeing ICE arrest their parent(s) in the home and often do not understand why their parent(s) leave. When a parent is deported, he or she may choose to bring their children with them, which studies have shown can present a very difficult transition for children who must suddenly adjust to a different culture and school system (Dreby, 2012). In other cases, a parent may choose to have a child stay with another family member or friend, which still has a significant emotional and social impact on the child. Children may also end up entering the child welfare system, a trend that has grown in recent years (Immigrant Policy Center, 2012).

 

 

Forensic social works should take ethical considerations when working with the immigrant population. What Can Social Workers Does the NASW supports policies that uphold equity and human rights for immigrants, while at the same time protecting national security.According to the NASW Code of Ethics (1996) social workers, “Should engage in social and political action that seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to the resources, employment, services, and opportunities they require to meet their basic human needs and to develop fully. Social workers should be aware of the impact of the political arena on practice and should advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet basic human needs and promote social justice” – 6.04(a). Social workers should also “act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical disability” – 6.04 2(d).  When working with families, it is important for the social worker to learn whether children have been separated from their parents by immigration policies and investigate with the appropriate agencies to determine whether additional efforts are necessary to provide resources and services that will protect the rights of the parents and ensure the best interests of the child (NASW International Committee, 2012).