Arrests of Immigrant Parents Create Mental Health Crisis for Children

The deportation of immigrant parents has created a mental health crisis for children, with one Los Angeles family describing the case of Damian Zermeño, 15. On Oct. 3, Damian’s father, Saúl Zermeño, 45, reported to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement check-in that he had complied with for years under deferred action. After the routine visit, officers deported Saúl to Mexico, where he had not lived since age 9. Damian, born in the U.S., became separated from his sole caregiver as his father was removed thousands of miles away behind a heavily guarded border. The article says Damian and many other children—often U.S. citizens—are separated through arrests and detention, with delayed or denied care contributing to stress. It cites research linking parent-child separation to higher risks of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.