After 300 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stormed into a New Bedford leather factory and arrested 350 undocumented workers in March, immigrant rights groups are urging law-enforcement officials to take better care of children of illegal immigrants during periods — and the aftermath — of intense and sometimes violent seizures.
The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition joined the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers to discuss a study conducted by the National Council of La Raza and the Urban Institute that says living through raids can have lasting psychological damage to the children.
According to the report, researchers found that for every two adults detained in ICE raids, one child is left behind with little or no care from officials.
Most of these children are U.S. citizens under 10 years old, the report states.
“[The New Bedford raid] highlighted a need for well-planned policy,” said Carl Trust, a member of the NASW state chapter. “The raid orchestrators were not prepared for the number of children they would be leaving affected. . . . In its execution, the raid demonstrated a callous disregard for welfare.”
Dr. Amaro Laria, a clinical psychologist and professor at the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard University, said he and his students responded to the New Bedford raid by helping children find care and acting as translators between them and officers.
“I find that in these situations, children’s mental health becomes a secondary consideration,” Laria said. “All around us we observed effects of psychological disruption, one of the hardest experiences in mental health. . . . This isn’t just about immigration law, but human rights violations. These children have suffered pre-meditated trauma.”
Panelists said ending the neglect and abuse of children following ICE raids and worker detainment ultimately requires a change in policy.
“[We need] help from the voters,” said MIRA Coalition Policy Associate Almeida Marcony. “We need the non-immigrants on board. Now is the time to urge Congress toward immigration policy reform.”