Two expert testimonies from University of Albany unpacked the effects of the much-protested border separation policies on children’s mental health, according to a recent press release. And, naturally: It’s not that great.
Dr. Joanna Dreby is an Associate Professor of Sociology with an expertise in Mexican migrant families and Dr. Heather Larkin is an Associate Professor in Social Welfare and Co-Director of the National Center for Excellence in Homeless Services that has done extensive research on adverse childhood experiences among vulnerable communities.
Both experts agree that the overall effect of family separation on childhood wellbeing is negative. “Research shows that children experience immediate negative impacts on their health and well-being in these circumstances,” said Dreby. “But there are longer term negative impacts as well, now well-documented in the literature, including changes in family structure and economic hardship.”
Larkin highlighted the importance of “ACE [adverse childhood experience]-informed policies and programs to foster resilience in programs and communities.”
“We need leadership and community capacity development that strengthens families,” said Larkin.
Slate Magazine called child separation at the border a “medical emergency.” The magazine touches on the psychological effects of separation, and even went on to cite the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics who called the separation polices at the border “government-sanctioned child abuse.”
The US Department of Homeland Security has admitted to separating almost 2,000 children from their parents from mid-April to May this year, according to BBC. Once separated, the children are placed in shelters under the guidance of the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
“Parents entering the United States with dependent children are currently following the process set forth for applications for political asylum,” said Dreby. “They are not breaking the law. They are following the procedure set forth by U.S. immigration law and being punished – by being separated from their children – for doing so.”