Deportation and mental health among migrants who inject drugs along the US–Mexico border

Abstract

Objective This study describes the prevalence and factors of depressive symptoms among a sample of persons who inject drugs (PWID) with a history of deportation from the US in Tijuana, Mexico. In 2014, 132 deported PWID completed a structured questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale (CESD-10) screening instrument. Eligible participants were ≥18 years old, injected drugs in the past month, spoke English or Spanish, and resided in Tijuana. Multivariate analyses identified factors associated with depressive symptoms. Among deported PWID, 45% reported current symptoms of depression. Deported PWID who were initially detained in the US for a crime-related reason before being deported (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 5.27; 95% CI: 1.79–15.52) and who perceived needing help with their drug use (AOR: 2.15; 95% 1.01–4.61) had higher odds of reporting depressive symptoms. Our findings highlight the need for effective strategies targeting deported migrants who inject drugs to treat mental health and drug abuse in Tijuana. Investing in the mental health of deported PWID may also be a viable HIV prevention strategy.

The impact of deportation policies on the substance using behaviors of US-citizen Latinos

“…To date, no study has examined if detentions and deportations are influencing the alcohol and drug using behaviors of US-citizen Latinos. Studies that have investigated the relationship between substance use and deportation have exclusively focused on deported migrants in post-deportation settings (e.g., in Mexico and Latin America) (Horyniak, Pinedo, Burgos, & Ojeda, 2017;Ojeda et al, 2011;Pinedo, Burgos, Robertson, et al, 2014;Pinedo et al, 2018). Due to the emotional and psychological consequences of detentions and deportations, we can broadly speculate that US-citizen Latinos who have been impacted by the detention or deportation of others in their social networks (e.g., family, friends) may be more susceptible to use alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism.…”

Deported Men's and Father's Perspective: The Impacts of Family Separation on Children and Families in the U.S.

“…For families seeking to reunite with the deportee in Mexico, ensuring that children have access to social (e.g., education) and other institutions (e.g., health care) is critical to promoting their well-being. It is critical that all parents and children have legal identification in the receiving country (e.g., Mexico), in order to prevent an undocumented status, which would prevent accessing public services (e.g., health care) and the labor market (e.g., employment opportunities) (61,73).…”

“…Finally, the framework proposes that the deportation process and event also affect the deportee's outcomes and the post-deportation circumstances of the deportee may have a reciprocal effect on the family and household remaining in the U.S. The well-being of migrants post-deportation has been examined in some diverse contexts (9,18,(57)(58)(59)(60)(61) though the longitudinal and reciprocal relationships with their U.S.-based families have not received attention. This framework should be tested in qualitative and quantitative studies with diverse national origin migrant communities to better understand the impacts of deportation and family separation.…”

Health-damaging policing practices among persons who inject drugs in Mexico: Are deported migrants at greater risk?

“…Deported PWID (vs. non-deported PWID) are more likely to partake in risker injection practices and behaviors (e.g., trying new drugs, injecting at higher at higher frequencies, incarceration, paying for sex), as compared to their non-deported counterparts (M. Pinedo, et al, 2014c; Miguel Pinedo, et al, 2016; A.M. Robertson, Rangel, Lozada, Vera, & Ojeda, 2012).…”