Enforced Separations: A Qualitative Examination of how Latino Youth Cope with Family Disruption Following the Deportation of a Parent

Background and Aims. Shifts in U.S. immigration policy over the past two decades have resulted in increased deportations of unauthorized persons residing in the United States—primarily Mexican and Central American immigrants. As a result, a disproportionate number of Latino families have been subjected to forced family separations. While previous studies have focused on the effects of parental deportation on young children, this study uniquely contributes to the literature by exploring how youth experience and cope with family separation, as well as how deportation adversely impacts the broader family unit. This study also explores how schools and social service providers respond to these families’ needs. Methods. This phenomenological study is theoretically grounded in family systems and ambiguous loss theories. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Latino youth (n=8) and their mothers (n=8) who had recently experienced deportation within their families. Semi-structured interview data were also collected from key informants, including school personnel and social service providers (n=11). Results. The analysis revealed four main findings: 1) Following the deportation of a parent, youth experienced symptoms of trauma; 2) Families had to adjust to new family circumstances due to economic loss and increased family tension; 3) Families that experienced the deportation of a parent retreated from social life, which drastically reduced their social networks; and 4) Families heavily relied on informal support networks and faith-based agencies rather than government social services due to fear of further family separation. Findings further suggested youth accessed school-based and peer support, while mothers generally coped by reaching out to extended family, accessing aid through informal support networks, and relying on their faith as a coping tool. Conclusion and Implications. This study highlights the experiences of Latino youth and their families due to the loss of a parent after deportation. Implications for practice include developing culturally-based, trauma-informed, and contextually situated (i.e., accounting for political climate) assessments and interventions for youth and families affected by deportation. It also addresses the importance of enhancing relationships with immigrant-based centers and faith-based agencies to assist practitioners in serving more families to restore their physical, mental, and emotional well-being