Examining deportation and detention-related separation and youth risk and protective factors and well-being

Abstract

Purpose

One in four U.S. Latine children has a parent who is an undocumented immigrant, putting them at risk of parental separation due to deportation. This study examines differences in multiple dimensions of health and well-being among Latine youth who experienced separation from a caregiver due to deportation, separation due to other reasons, and no separation.

Methods

Our sample included clinic patients 10–24 years of age who were assessed for caregiver separation between April 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019 (n = 194). All patients were administered a modified Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services (GAPS) at intake. For patients who reported any separation, trained coders reviewed charts to document separation due to deportation or other reasons. We conducted logistic regression of separation due to deportation, separation for other reasons, and no separation with predicting GAPS indicators for health and well-being.

Results

Of the 194 patients in our sample, 82 experienced caregiver separation, with 26 of these separated due to deportation. Compared to youth who had not been separated from a caregiver, youth experiencing deportation-related parental separation were 17 times more likely to have thought about running away and four times more likely to have seriously considered suicide. In addition, youth experiencing deportation-related separation were 68% less likely to have at least one person they can trust, 70% less likely to have daily meals with their family, and 70% less likely to have a role model.

Discussion

Though further research is needed to describe the connection between deportation-related caregiver separation and specific youth outcomes and ways to mitigate negative outcomes, this research stresses the traumatic effect of deportation-related caregiver separation on youth, highlighting the clinical implications of deportation policy in the US.