Los Angeles' summer of ICE-related events continues to reverberate, despite some people moving forward from those occurrences.
In the summer of 2019, a wave of immigration raids swept through Los Angeles, leaving a trail of anxiety, fear, and mental health crises in its wake. According to reports, approximately 3,000 arrests were made as part of President Trump's immigration crackdown in Southern California [1].
The raids have upended countless lives, causing widespread mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, and a collective trauma response [1]. Many individuals and families are living in a constant state of fear and a fight-or-flight mentality, which is affecting their ability to work and function normally. Even fully documented families in affected neighborhoods like East L.A. and Boyle Heights are not immune to these mental health challenges [1].
The fear generated by the raids deters residents from attending work, school, or accessing food and health services, resulting in disruptions to local economies and deteriorating wellbeing in immigrant communities. Healthcare providers have reported increased no-shows and appointment cancellations linked to fear brought on by the raids [3]. This climate of fear and decreased access to services exacerbates mental health problems among immigrants.
Moreover, individuals detained during these immigration enforcement actions often face inadequate mental health care while in detention centers. For instance, at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, detainees reported anxiety, panic attacks, and other mental health symptoms but experienced delayed or insufficient access to mental health evaluations and treatment. Staff shortages and poor conditions further compound these mental health crises [2].
In response to these impacts, Los Angeles County supervisors have approved expanded health and social services support plans for immigrant families to help mitigate the mental health consequences and ensure better access to care [3].
The emotional impact of the raids on immigrants and their communities was the focus of a recent forum organized by Boyle Heights Beat, a community news site [4]. Quotes from the forum included: "I see a white van and my body automatically freezes," "You become a caregiver," "You have survivor's guilt," and "Children step up more to help their parents, and they internalize their parents' fears."
Experts at the forum discussed the emotional toll of the raids, emphasizing the need for strong coping skills and self-awareness during these times [4]. They also highlighted the importance of community support and resources, such as the immigration resource guide available for Los Angeles [5].
As the mental health crisis persists, it is crucial to continue providing support and resources to affected communities. Governor Newsom's plan for a redistricting fight with Trump and his efforts to raise $18 billion to shore up the state wildfire fund are steps in the right direction [6]. However, more needs to be done to address the ongoing mental health crisis in Los Angeles' immigrant communities.
References:
- LAist
- The Guardian
- LAist
- Boyle Heights Beat
- Immigrant Resource Guide
- LAist
- The immigration raids in Los Angeles during the summer of 2019 have brought about a surge in anxiety, depression, and loneliness, along with a collective trauma response.
- Approximately 3,000 arrests were made as part of the President's immigration crackdown in Southern California, leaving many in a state of fear and mental health crisis.
- The constant state of fear and fight-or-flight mentality has affected affected individuals' and families' abilities to work and function normally.
- Healthcare providers are reporting increased no-shows and appointment cancellations due to fear sparked by the raids, contributing to mental health problems in affected communities.
- Inadequate mental health care in detention centers detained during the raids has further compounded these mental health crises.
- To address these mental health challenges, Los Angeles County has approved expanded health and social services support plans for immigrant families.
- A recent forum in Boyle Heights emphasized the need for strong coping skills, self-awareness, community support, and resources to combat the emotional impact of the raids.
- The climate of fear and decreased access to services exacerbates mental health problems among immigrants, causing disruptions in local economies.
- The emotional toll of the raids has led to decreased attendance in educational institutions and workplaces, affecting the education and business sectors in Los Angeles.
- It is essential to continue providing support and resources to affected communities to help mitigate the mental health consequences and ensure better access to care.
- Governor Newsom's plan for a redistricting fight with Trump and his efforts to raise $18 billion to address wildfires are steps in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the ongoing mental health crisis in Los Angeles' immigrant communities.
