Psychological Impact, Strengths, and Handling the Uncertainty Among Latinx DACA Recipients

Abstract

Anti-immigration rhetoric has consistently impacted the lives of immigrant young adults who are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. This qualitative study sheds light on the lived psychological experiences of 21 Latinx DACA recipients who were impacted by the political debates during the Trump administration. Content analysis revealed four main psychological impacts resulting from the DACA political debates: stress, fear, anxiety, and depressive symptomatology). Through these experiences, individuals who perceived being impacted by these political debates described three main strengths (i.e., luchando adelante, positive outlook, and DACA+ethnic pride) that assisted them. Finally, participants noted three main strategies (i.e., social and family support, religiosity/spirituality, and social advocacy) that also served them during the DACA political debates. These findings provide implications for practices and policies that foster healing from ethno-racial trauma in Latinx immigrant communities.

When the United States says you do not belong: Suicide‐related thoughts and behaviors among immigrant young adults varying in immigration legal status

“…Although in this study DACA/undocumented immigration legal status was significantly associated with increased SRTBs as compared to permanent immigration legal status and citizenship, it is important to note the overall low endorsement of SRTBs in this group (Table 1), consistent with prior research noting that young immigrants exhibit coping strengths in the face of increased anti‐immigrant hostility (Cadenas & Nienhusser, 2020; Moreno et al, 2021). Indeed, despite facing constant uncertainy and compounded fears of being marginalized, stigmatized, or discriminated against, most DACA/undocumented immigration legal status individuals are highly resilient (Moreno et al, 2021; Jawetz, 2020). A population‐based phenomenon known as the “immigrant paradox” has attempted to explain that despite facing greater social disadvantage, foreign‐born immigrants have better physical and mental health outcomes when compared to U.S.‐born natives (Alcántara et al, 2017).…”

“…Our findings highlight that interpersonal variables partially explain the risk relation between DACA/undocumented immigration legal status and SRTBs. Interpersonal vulnerability is connected to larger systemic factors that exacerbate distress, such as discrimination (Cadenas et al, 2020) and anti‐immigrant rhetoric and federal policy (Moreno et al, 2021). Indeed, political and cultural leaders who engage in public discourse related to immigration should be mindful that anti‐immigrant vitriol may have a real‐world impact on the mental health of immigrants in the United States.…”

Anti-immigration policy and mental health: Risk of distress and trauma among deferred action for childhood arrivals recipients in the United States.

“…While further research is needed to understand how to best provide support and relief from trauma for this population, and there is a demand for resources to train the health provider workforce that will be providing these services, data from DACA recipients themselves offer promising directions. Qualitative findings from interviews with DACA recipients and their reflections on the 2017-2019 DACA policy debates suggest that social and family supports, faith-based communities, and opportunities for social advocacy can represent significant protective factors in helping youth cope with adversity (Moreno et al, 2021). Promoting natural networks of instrumental and emotional support among family members and trusted community members (i.e., teachers, church groups) could be an easily accessible and culturally congruent source of aid in times of uncertainty.…”

“…DACA recipients live under constant threat of losing their protected immigration legal status to be deported to another country that they hardly know while also fearing forced separation from their family and the loss of their social networks. Moreno and colleagues (2021) identified frequent themes of sustained stress, fear, and anxiety among Latinx DACA recipients describing their reactions to the DACA policy debates of 2017–2019. The aforementioned circumstances can be traumatic because they are often endured for a long time and with limited resources (Latinx Immigrant Health Alliance, 2021).…”

Spanish Translation and Psychometric Validation of a Measure of Acculturative Stress among Latinx Immigrants in the USA

“…Structural influences include immigration policies dictating access to health care, education, housing, transportation, and employment [ 7 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Immigrant tensions intensified due to the Mexican border wall initiative as well as due to the withdrawal of the protection of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program [ 15 ]. The fear of being persecuted by immigration officials is a larger systemic structural stressor that impacts Latinx communities.…”