Los niños no olvidan: The Trauma Kids Carry During Immigration Crises

When we talk about immigration, so often the focus is on adults: the parents, the petitions, the paperwork. But there’s another story that quietly unfolds in the background—one carried in the little shoulders of children who are watching, listening, and absorbing everything.

Children don't always understand policies. But they do understand fear. They understand when their mom cries silently at night. They notice when their dad doesn’t come home on time and everyone’s too scared to call. They feel the tension when the news is on, when someone knocks on the door unexpectedly, when they’re told not to talk too much about where they’re from.

This blog is for them. And for the parents, caregivers, and professionals who need to understand the invisible trauma our children carry—especially during this national immigration crisis.

Kids Absorb What We Don’t Say

They may not know what ICE is. But they know what it feels like when a parent is scared. They learn to lower their voices. To look over their shoulders. To keep secrets.

These behaviors aren’t just cute or shy—they’re coping mechanisms. They’re trauma responses.

Many of the kids I meet in psychosocial evaluations don’t even have the

words to describe their fear. But you see it in their body language. In how they cling to their parents. In how quickly they startle. In the way they try to smile when talking about scary things.

Trauma Infantil No Siempre Se Ve Como Esperamos

• A child may become “hyper-responsible,” acting like an adult.

• Another may start wetting the bed or having nightmares.

• Some become angry and aggressive.

• Others become too quiet, too obedient.

Estos son síntomas. No de mal comportamiento, sino de sufrimiento emocional.

El Impacto de la Amenaza Migratoria

Living under the threat of deportation affects a child’s nervous system. Constant fear and unpredictability create a state of hypervigilance. This can affect sleep, appetite, attention span, learning capacity, and even physical health.

Some children internalize the belief that they are “bad” or that something is wrong with their family. Others carry guilt for not being able to help or protect their parents. In cases of actual separation, children can experience acute trauma that mirrors the effects of abuse or neglect—even when no one intended harm.

What a Psychosocial Evaluation Can Do for a Child

When I meet with children to complete psychosocial evaluations—especially for Stay of Deportation or U Visa cases—my goal is never just to fill out a form. It’s to create a safe space. One where they can talk, play, draw, and begin to give shape to their experience.

We document:

• Developmental history

• Symptoms of trauma, anxiety, or depression

• Behavioral changes and school functioning

• Attachment to caregivers

• Emotional impact of potential separation or past trauma

  
  

These evaluations help show decision-makers that a child’s mental health is at stake. That their well-being is directly affected by immigration-related stress. And that protecting their stability is not just a legal issue—it’s a psychological one.

Healing Starts with Believing Them

So many children are told to “be strong” or “not worry.” But what they need is to be believed. To be listened to. To be offered tools and support that help them understand they are not to blame for what’s happening.

They need caregivers who are emotionally available, professionals who are trauma-informed, and systems that recognize that children suffer too—even when they don’t show it the way we expect.

Final Thoughts for Parents

If you're a parent worried about how this crisis is affecting your child, please hear this: your concern is valid. Your child is not too young to be affected. And there is help available.

Psychosocial evaluations are not just paperwork—they are a way to document your child’s reality with compassion and clinical care. They can help protect your family. And they can also be a step toward healing.

At Corazon Wellness, we approach each evaluation with deep empathy, clinical expertise, and a culturally grounded understanding of family.

Because your child’s story matters. And their emotional safety should never be overlooked.

If you’re navigating a Stay of Deportation or U Visa case and want your child’s voice to be heard in a therapeutic, meaningful way, reach out today.

Healing is possible. And no child should carry the weight of fear in silence.