Recent federal immigration raids led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have sparked significant fear and anxiety in immigrant communities throughout New Jersey, particularly among children and families. Mental health professionals express concern over the long-lasting psychological harm these actions may inflict, urging for immediate attention to the pervasive impact on well-being and educational access.
On January 23, ICE agents executed a workplace raid at a fish market in Newark, arresting three individuals without presenting any warrant, as reported by Mayor Ras Baraka. This raid is not isolated, with numerous ICE sightings documented across social media platforms, leading to heightened fears within immigrant populations. According to reports, ICE offices nationwide are expected to make as many as 75 arrests per day, making encounters with immigration officials increasingly likely.
Such aggressive strategies leave communities fraught with anxiety. A parent was apprehended by ICE just after dropping their child off at school, highlighting objections raised by state lawmakers about the timing and location of these enforcement actions. Senator Vin Gopal voiced his apprehension during a recent Senate Education Committee meeting, stating, “Education should not be a place where any of this happens.” He added worries about the mental health consequences for children exposed to such raids, warning of potential long-term impacts.
These sentiments echo the larger backdrop of legislative changes following President Donald Trump's administration, which saw executive orders aimed at increasing deportations. Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced measures to shield immigrant communities, including legal actions against attempts to erode birthright citizenship rights, reflective of the state’s commitment to safeguard those affected by federal policies.
Activists underline the emotional toll these actions are taking on families. Viri Martinez from the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice reflected on how ICE’s presence near community centers fosters feelings of vulnerability and fear among immigrant families. “For adults, it’s the sense of anxiety — the fear and the threat of detention and deportation,” Martinez articulated, underscoring the ripple effects felt within homes and workplaces.
Statistics reveal the scale of the immigrant community within New Jersey, where nearly 25% of residents are foreign-born, comprising over 400,000 undocumented individuals. Children are particularly affected; as of 2022, it was estimated over 40% of children under 18 live with at least one parent who is foreign-born.
The psychological effect of these raids on children is receiving significant attention from health care professionals. Schenike Massie-Lambert, assistant professor at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, characterized the trauma of witnessing or experiencing such sudden separations as detrimental. She explained, “Trauma is an unwanted experience... It really reflects a lack of control and safety.” The apprehension experienced by children, especially those who face the possibility of losing caregivers, puts them at risk for serious mental health issues, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, and potentially post-traumatic stress disorder.
Professor William Lopez from the University of Michigan remarked on the dramatic shift responsibilities can have within families undergoing such turmoil, noting, “There’s this enormous shift in parental and family responsibility.” He elaborated on how children may step up as caretakers or miss educational opportunities due to the emotional upheaval resulting from parental arrests.
These adverse conditions also contribute to increases in absenteeism and withdrawal from education. Rina Ojeda, a licensed social worker providing mental health support to schools, noted the stark increase of students missing school because of fears surrounding deportation strategies. “When you’re living in fear, nothing’s safe. It’s going to impact their education,” she said, connecting the dots between fear and learning accessibility.
New Jersey’s education department is responding to this crisis. Recently, guidance was communicated to public school leaders about preparing for potential immigration enforcement activities, aiming to provide resources for students suffering from deportation-related trauma.
Dr. María Rodríguez, CEO of Care Counseling Center, shared alarming trends as immigrant families increasingly request mental health assistance, reflecting the community’s urgent need for support as fears grow. “Families have called nonstop with concerns about deportation,” Rodríguez acknowledged, emphasizing the necessity for care and coping strategies to navigate these turbulent times without unduly alarming their children.
Advocates press for legislative protections such as the Immigrant Trust Act, which would enable community members to seek state assistance without the fear of deportation. Martínez voiced the imperative for this legislation, asserting, “We need the Immigrant Trust Act... for immigrant community members and for immigrant children so they can be safe and protected.”
Governor Phil Murphy has taken steps to affirm his administration’s commitment to protecting immigrants within New Jersey, voicing support for the proposed Immigrant Trust Act. Murphy’s administration has deployed legal actions and public advocacy to counteract federal enforcement, with the 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive offering limitations on local law enforcement's interaction with federal immigration authorities. His strategies aim to maintain separation between local enforcement and immigration enforcement, asserting the effectiveness of this approach amid legal scrutiny.
With the situation still developing, the importance of community support, mental health resources, and legislative protections remains clear as New Jersey grapples with the realities and repercussions of ICE’s actions felt throughout its towns and schools.