As the Trump administration ramps up federal immigration enforcement, experts say children across the country may be absorbing the fear and uncertainty of ICE operations — even when they don't understand all the details.
Why it matters: Experiencing traumatic events in childhood can create lasting physical and mental health challenges that extend into adulthood, Sita Patel, a clinical psychology professor at Palo Alto University tells Axios.
Zoom in: Adverse childhood events (ACE) cut across "all lines of political and value structure," because their health impacts ripple outward — affecting communities economically and in terms of resources, Patel says.
- She notes that mental health research previously focused on isolated critical incidents, like a car accident, but more recent studies show that chronic stressors have a profound impact on the nervous system and a wide range of other health markers.
- Exposure to constant media coverage, unpredictability and violence creates stress and trauma that Patel says "will absolutely have an impact on many people's life course in terms of health and capacity to contribute and thrive."
About half of all educators surveyed who work with immigrant families said their students have expressed fear or anxiety this school year as a result of federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Worth noting: Conversations between parents and children can look very different depending on family circumstances, particularly for children of immigrants who may face greater uncertainty.
- Discussions may also differ for children residing in epicenters of federal enforcement operations — who see and hear about them daily at school — compared with children in areas with minimal federal presence who encounter the issue primarily through media, Patel says.
- Families can work together to create both emotional and practical safety plans, Patel explains — framing them like familiar school safety drills to help children feel prepared.
- She also advises "reducing the volume of exposure to things that are stressful and traumatic — or if that's not possible — balancing those out with things that promote joy," which may include spending time outside or exercising.
Zoom out: For parents who want to initiate conversations, Omar Gudiño, interim clinical director of the Child Mind Institute, tells Axios to approach conversations gently and broadly — starting by asking kids what they've heard and what they're thinking, which often leads to a more organic discussion.
- Those moments can open the door to discussions about "general values and general themes" about how we want kids to see the world or handle the challenges of day-to-day life, Gudiño says.
- Asking kids about their specific fears can help parents find the root cause of excessive worry, and decide whether reassurance, context or distance from the news is most useful, he says.
- There's also no shame in preparing ahead of time before these conversations start, Gudiño shares, which can help parents clarify the values and emotions they want their child to walk away with.
The bottom line: Any significant change in your child's habits — including sleeping, eating or behavioral health — may warrant seeking outside support to have the situation assessed, Patel advises.
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