Violence in the Middle East and Africa, poverty and trafficking in Latin America, human rights crises in Asia, the war in Ukraine, the list goes on. Amid mounting pressure from ICE, US borders continue to see thousands of asylum requests. For many parents—facing choices most of us can’t imagine—risking everything is the only way to protect their families. And for those who have already made that perilous journey, they now confront shifting policies and the constant threat of deportation, adding fresh uncertainty to lives already marked by fear.
Parents want the best for their children, and they will go to extreme lengths to make sure their children live as best as possible. For many families, this means migrating to the United States to have a chance at the “American Dream.” Uprooting their lives and crossing unfamiliar and often dangerous terrain, parents gamble with their own safety and stability in hopes of offering their children opportunities, safety, and a brighter future they couldn’t imagine back home.
However, many of these families arrive without documentation, often because legal avenues are complex, lengthy, or inaccessible to those fleeing urgent threats. Attempting to cross the border without legal status comes with a host of risks and consequences, ranging from the loss of liberties and livelihoods to the real threat of family separation. Despite these dangers, thousands of families brave this path each year, driven by hope and necessity rather than recklessness.
What’s often overlooked in the conversation about immigration is the invisible emotional toll, especially on children. The psychological effects can be severe and long-lasting. Many children, separated from their parents at the border—sometimes for weeks or even months—suddenly find themselves plunged into an unfamiliar world inside detention centers. They may spend each day unsure when, or if, they will see their loved ones again. The legal system places additional stress on children, who are expected to participate in court hearings and recount traumatic journeys that many adults would struggle to describe.
Life inside detention is a stark contrast to the dreams that prompted families to migrate. Overcrowded facilities often lack access to basic needs, meaning children may go days without a proper meal or a shower. The resulting uncertainty, confusion, and anxiety can leave deep scars, affecting a child’s development, sense of safety, and emotional wellbeing for years to come. In this difficult environment, the risk of trauma compounds for every member of the family, turning what was meant to be an act of hope into a crucible of hardship.
Between 2023 and 2024, more than 2.8 million people sought to gain entry to the US, according to the Census Bureau, and many of those encounters resulted in rapid expulsions. Those remaining are expected to go through a lengthy, confusing, expensive process of seeking asylum or proving legitimate reasons for their immigration.
Many families make it across the border and establish their lives in the United States. Their children, who many times are born US citizens, have their opportunity at the American Dream. However, it can all be taken away in the blink of an eye. Something as small as a traffic stop can be detrimental to an undocumented family. Undocumented people cannot apply for a driver’s license, therefore they risk deportation every time they are behind the wheel.
Not only are undocumented people afraid to drive, but many are also scared to go work. People without documentation live in fear every day. Not just the fear of being detained and possibly deported, but the fear of leaving their spouse and children behind. Many times, children have come home to news of their parent’s deportation and with new living arrangements.
Due to being afraid of being outed as undocumented, many people do not speak out and continue to live in fear. Children who are separated from their families often suffer from trauma, depression and anxiety. The American Bar Association has recently updated their fact sheet about children at the border, and humanitarian efforts are being made to ensure that those detained at any age are provided safety and basic human rights.
If you know anyone struggling with such an issue, reach out for confidential counseling. Lifeologie has several experienced and empathetic therapists who are bilingual, including those who speak Mandarin, Lithuanian, Urdu, and Korean.
Meet our Spanish-speaking counselors in person or through telehealth at Lifeologie Counseling Frisco, Texas and Lifeologie Counseling Oak Cliff.