Category

Immigrant Families Research

Living in an Undocumented Immigrant Family Under the Second Trump Administration: Fear, Uncertainty, and Impacts on Health and Well-Being

By | Deportation, Immigrant Families Research, Immigration Enforcement, Research, Research Highlight

Living in an Undocumented Immigrant Family Under the Second Trump Administration: Fear, Uncertainty, and Impacts on Health and Well-Being

Drishti Pillai, Isabelle Valdes, Alisha Rao, Samantha Artiga, Liz Hamel, and Shannon Schumacher; Kaiser Family Foundation (May 8, 2025)

This report shares findings from focus groups with undocumented Hispanic adults or adults living with an undocumented immigrant to provide insight into the experiences of these families amid the current environment.

“Families getting separated feels bad”: Latinx children’s perceptions of the immigration climate and socialization process

By | Child Well-Being, Deportation, Immigrant Families Research, Immigration Enforcement, Research, Research Highlight, Trauma

“Families getting separated feels bad”: Latinx children’s perceptions of the immigration climate and socialization process

Cecilia Ayon, Briseida Salazar, & Kaitlyn M. Han; Family Relations (March 7, 2025)

This study examined the emotional responses and the immigration socialization process for children in California navigating the immigration policy climate.

Repealing Birthright Citizenship Would Significantly Increase the Size of the U.S. Unauthorized Population

By | Immigrant Families Research, Immigration Relief, Legal/Law, Research, Research Highlight

Repealing Birthright Citizenship Would Significantly Increase the Size of the U.S. Unauthorized Population

Jennifer Van Hook, Michael Fix, and Julia Gelatt; Migration Policy Institute (May 2025)

New research by the Migration Policy Institute outlines the catastrophic effect that Trump’s Executive Order repealing birthright citizenship would have on immigrant families and children, including stripping citizenship from approximately 255,000 U.S.-born children annually and adding millions to the unauthorized population over the coming decades.

The impact of immigration detention on children’s mental health: systematic review

By | Child Well-Being, Detention, Immigrant Families Research, Research, Research Highlight, Trauma

The impact of immigration detention on children’s mental health: systematic review

Isabella Priestley et al., The British Journal of Psychiatry (April 10, 2025)

This systematic review synthesized data on the detrimental impact of immigration detention on children’s mental health, including high rates of depression and PTSD, underscoring the need for alternative immigration policies that eliminate the detention of children and families.

Central American and Mexican Mothers and Youth Migration-Related Separations and Reunifications

By | Family Separation, Immigrant Families Research, Immigrant Youth, Research, Research Highlight, Trauma

Central American and Mexican Mothers and Youth Migration-Related Separations and Reunifications

Jodi Berger Cardoso, Arlene Bjugstad, et al., Journal of Loss and Trauma (April 5, 2025)

This study explores the challenges faced by Mexican and Central American mothers and youth reunifying in the U.S. after migration-related separations, highlighting the ongoing trauma, ambiguous loss, migratory grief, and attachment disruptions that impact their relationships, while also noting mothers’ efforts to repair these bonds.

Immigrant Families Express Worry as They Prepare for Policy Changes

By | Deportation, Immigrant Families Research, Immigration Enforcement, Research

Immigrant Families Express Worry as They Prepare for Policy Changes

Hamutal Bernstein, Dulce Gonzalez, & Diana Guelespe, Urban Institute (March 12, 2025)

This research brief provides insight into immigrant families’ experiences in the wake of the 2024 election, including worry about engaging in essential activities, deportation concerns, and taking protective steps to prepare for a potential changes to immigration status.

Implications of state policy context for the well-being of immigrant families with young children

By | Child Well-Being, Highlighted Resources, Immigrant Families Research, Research, Research Highlight, State Policies

Implications of state policy context for the well-being of immigrant families with young children

Kevin Ferreira van Leer, et al., American Journal of Community Psychology (January 15, 2025)

This mixed-methods study explored how state-level social policy exclusions for immigrants are associated with the well-being of immigrant parents and development of their children.

“But who takes care of the mom?”: The daily experiences of immigrant mothers navigating health in family life

By | Highlighted Resources, Immigrant Families Research, Parenting, Research, Research Highlight

“But who takes care of the mom?”: The daily experiences of immigrant mothers navigating health in family life

Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba et al., Social Science & Medicine (May 2025)

This qualitative study examines the experiences of US immigrant mothers navigating healthcare amid competing demands and a harmful sociopolitical climate.

Impacts of Immigration Policies on Families

By | Immigrant Families Research, Research, Research Highlight

Impacts of Immigration Policies on Families

Leisy J. Abrego & Lucia León, Annual Review of Sociology (January 23, 2025)

This review encourages scholars to broaden their research beyond the impacts of federal, state, and local laws on immigrant families to include experiences during the migration journey and at the border as these are also influenced by US immigration policies.

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