New Policies Affecting Immigrant Populations 

Feb. 21, 2025

Background

The immigration landscape in the United States has undergone significant changes due to recent executive orders and legislative actions. These developments have resulted in increased enforcement activities, more stringent visa vetting processes, potential travel restrictions, and ongoing discussions about birthright citizenship. The reallocation of military personnel to the border, the discontinuation of the CBP One app, and the potential withholding of federal funds from sanctuary cities further illustrate the shift in immigration policy. These changes not only affect enforcement but also threaten the stability of immigrants who have integrated into society. For those who have built lives through work, education, and community, these policies create uncertainty and risk destabilizing their sense of security, impacting their contributions to the economy and society as a whole.

The enactment of P.L. 199-1, known as the Laken Riley Act, which mandates the Department of Homeland Security to take into custody undocumented immigrants charged with theft offenses, including shoplifting, has contributed to the evolving regulatory environment surrounding immigration. The bipartisan support for this legislation reflects the current priorities shared by the administration and Congress.

As the immigration debate persists, APA anticipates additional developments through forthcoming legislative proposals, funding decisions, and further executive actions. APA remains dedicated to advocating for policies grounded in scientific evidence that prioritize the mental health and well-being of immigrants and refugees, while also advancing the ethical and professional duties of psychologists who work with these communities.

To effectively engage with the new members of Congress, APA Services, Inc. is actively educating them on APA’s established policies related to immigration and refugee health. These policies include the 2019 Policy Statement on Immigration and Refugees, the 2024 APA Policy Statement on Immigrant Health, and the 2024 Presidential Task Force Report on Immigrant Health. By sharing our expertise and research-backed insights, we aim to inform policymakers and shape the ongoing discussions surrounding immigration reform. 

APA/APASI Assessment

APA and APA Services, Inc. are concerned regarding the executive orders and future policies on immigration, emphasizing their potential for significant psychological harm and negative societal impact. These concerns are grounded in APA’s scientific understanding of the unique stressors, vulnerabilities and trauma faced by immigrant populations, and the importance of policies that promote mental health and well-being for all.

APA’s assessment highlights several key areas of concern:

• Heightened fear and anxiety: The increased enforcement actions and targeting of communities create a climate of fear and anxiety, potentially leading to deterioration and long-term mental health consequences, especially among families and children. Research consistently demonstrates the detrimental impact of toxic stress on development and well-being, highlighting the need for policies that promote safety and security for immigrant communities.
• Family separation and trauma: Policies that lead to family separation can inflict lasting trauma, especially on children, hindering their growth, development and attachment formation. The importance of stable family unity and the detrimental effects of separation on children’s mental health are well-established in psychological research.
• Barriers to mental health care: Restrictions on access to services and fear of deportation create significant barriers to mental health care for immigrants. APA Services advocates for equitable access to mental health services for all individuals, recognizing that mental health is essential for overall well-being.
• Impact on the psychology workforce: Restrictions on immigration could limit the diversity of the psychology workforce, hindering the provision of culturally competent services. A diverse workforce is crucial for meeting the mental health needs of a diverse population through lived experience and extensive training, and policies should support the recruitment and retention of professionals from diverse backgrounds.

APA Services Inc. remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for policies that are based in science and protect the well-being and health of immigrant communities.

What the Science Says

APA’s assessment and position are grounded in the best available science.

Anti-immigrant policies are linked to discrimination, distress, trauma, mistrust of health and government agencies, and diminished health, educational, and functional outcomes among immigrants (Garcini et al., 2023; Hatzenbuehler et al. 2017; Torres et al., 2018; Vargas et al., 2017; Viruell-Fuentes et al., 2012; Young et al., 2020). Moreover, these policies create barriers in access to education, health, and protection, contributing to inequalities and harms that tend to spill over to other groups, including U.S.-born citizens (Aranda et al., 2014). Thus, anti-immigrant policies are harmful to immigrants and U.S. citizens (APA, 2024).

The detention and deportation of illegal immigrants, at the time they cross the border or after they have already been living in the host country, have caused family separations and, in many cases, the separation of minor children from their parents and caregivers (de la Peña et al., 2019). Forced family separations are associated with negative mental health and wellbeing outcomes in children and parents, and possible developmental issues in children (Bernhardt et al., 2024; Naseh et al., 2024). 

Research indicates that immigration is beneficial to host countries, contributing to economic, cultural, and social growth. Immigrants often drive innovation and productivity, contribute to a dynamic workforce, and stimulate economic growth (NASEM, 2017; Lee et al., 2023). Immigrants contribute to increased cultural diversity, which helps to promote understanding and tolerance, fostering stronger communities (APA, 2024; Portes & Rumbaut, 2014). 

APA remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for policies that are based in science and protect the well-being and health of immigrant communities. 

What You Can Do

• Use APA resources: From policies, reports, and continuing education to books for children, APA has a wide range of resources and guidance to support psychologists in addressing the impact of immigration policies on individuals and communities.
• Connect with local immigration coalitions: Contact APA Services if you need help finding community groups or coalitions in your area that are working on immigration efforts. 
• Sustain support for affected individuals: Continue providing essential services and support to immigrants, students, and individuals impacted by the trauma of immigration raids and policy changes. Your expertise and compassion are invaluable during this challenging time.
• Provide a safe space for clients: Actively listen to and validate the fears and anxieties expressed by clients regarding immigration policies. Offer support and guidance to help them navigate these challenges and access necessary resources.
• Share information with APA: To strengthen APA’s advocacy efforts, please share your insights and experiences regarding the impact of immigration policies in your respective states. Your firsthand knowledge is crucial for informing our advocacy strategies.
• Stay informed: Maintain awareness of national immigration policies and their potential implications for your practice, classroom, and the communities you serve.
• Engage in local advocacy: Explore opportunities to collaborate with local and state community groups and government agencies to address the needs of immigrant communities and advocate for just and humane policies.
• Engage in educational campaigns: Provide evidence-based information about the mental health needs and challenges faced by immigrants and refugees. Highlight the impact of trauma, stress, and cultural adaptation, and emphasize the importance of culturally sensitive practices to foster empathy and enhance advocacy efforts in creating policies that promote mental well-being and social integration.
  

References

American Psychological Association, Psychological Science and Immigration Today. (2024) APA Presidential Task Force on Immigration and Health. https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/psychological-science-and-immigration-today.pdf.

Aranda, E., Menjívar, C., & Donato, K. M. (2014). The spillover consequences of an enforcement-first US immigration regime. American Behavioral Scientist, 58(13), 1687-1695. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764214537264 

Bernhardt, K., Le Beherec, S., Uppendahl, J. R., Fleischmann, M., Klosinski, M., Rivera, L. M., Samaras, G., Kenney, M., Müller, R., Nehring, I., Mall, V., & Hahnefeld, A. (2024). Young children's development after forced displacement: a systematic review. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 18(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-024-00711-5

de la Peña, C. M., Pineda, L., & Punsky, B. (2019). Working with parents and children separated at the border: Examining the impact of the zero tolerance policy and beyond. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 12(2), 153–164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-019-00262-4

Garcini, L. M., Domenech Rodríguez, M. M., Mercado, A., Silva, M., Cadenas, G., & Paris, M. (2023). Anti-immigration policy and mental health: Risk of distress and trauma among Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients in the United States. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 15(7), 1067-1075. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001228 

Hatzenbuehler, M. L., Prins, S. J., Flake, M., Philbin, M., Frazer, M. S., Hagen, D., & Hirsch, J. (2017). Immigration policies and mental health morbidity among Latinos: A state-level analysis. Social Science & Medicine (1982), 174, 169–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.11.040 

Lee, K. M., Kim, M. J., Brown, J. D., Earle, J. S., & Liu, Z. (2023). Are Immigrants More Innovative? Evidence from Entrepreneurs. Census Working Papers, CES-23-56. https://www2.census.gov/library/working-papers/2023/adrm/ces/CES-WP-23-56.pdf

Naseh, M., Zeng, Y., Ahn, E., Cohen, F., & Rfat, M. (2024). Mental health implications of family separation associated with migration policies in the United States: a systematic review. Social Science & Medicine (352), 116995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116995

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). The Economic and Fiscal Consequences of Immigration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: https://doi.org/10.17226/23550.

Portes, A., and R. Rumbaut. (2014). Immigrant America: A Portrait. Fourth edition, Revised, Updated, and Expanded. University of California Press.

Torres, S. A., Santiago, C. D., Walts, K. K., & Richards, M. H. (2018). Immigration policy, practices, and procedures: The impact on the mental health of Mexican and Central American youth and families. American Psychologist, 73(7), 843-854. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000184 

Vargas, E. D., Sanchez, G. R., & Juárez, M. (2017). Fear by Association: Perceptions of Anti-Immigrant Policy and Health Outcomes. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 42(3), 459–483. https://doi.org/10.1215/03616878-3802940 

Viruell-Fuentes, E. A., Miranda, P. Y., & Abdulrahim, S. (2012). More than culture: structural racism, intersectionality theory, and immigrant health. Social Science & Medicine, 75(12), 2099-2106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.12.037 

Young, M. T., Beltrán-Sánchez, H., & Wallace, S. P. (2020). States with fewer criminalizing immigrant policies have smaller health care inequities between citizens and noncitizens. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1460. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09525-4