OLYMPIA, WA – As the emotional toll of deportation weighs heavily on families, Alejandra Guzman-Mercado is navigating a distressing journey. Just weeks from graduating college as the first in her family to earn a degree, the recent deportation of her father has altered her life dramatically.
Guzman-Mercado shared, “My mental health has had to take a backseat because I’m taking care of other people’s mental health. I know it’s counterintuitive, but I don’t really have time for therapy.”
The impact of President Donald Trump’s administration has been profoundly felt in Latino communities throughout Washington, where reports of intensified immigration enforcement have disrupted family life. Many, like Guzman-Mercado, find themselves struggling to pick up the pieces following deportations, while others reach out for support from local organizations.
Reflecting on her experience, Guzman-Mercado stated, “It feels like I’m constantly trying to catch up, and I can’t, because there’s still more that I need to do.”
The pervasive fear experienced in immigrant communities has been documented. A KFF survey, conducted in conjunction with the Los Angeles Times, revealed that one-third of immigrants reported negative impacts on mental health since Trump took office. These impacts include heightened levels of stress and anxiety, along with issues related to eating and sleeping.
Moreover, 13% of immigrants, including 20% of legal residents, indicated they or a family member limited their participation in daily activities due to fears surrounding immigration status.
Guzman-Mercado’s father, Pedro Guzman, was deported in May. Court records indicate he faced traffic violations, with a 2020 conviction for driving under the influence, but no significant criminal history. Guzman-Mercado expressed the toll this has taken on her health, stating, “I didn’t notice that I wasn’t eating as well until I really sat on it and was like, ‘Yeah, this isn’t normal.’”
She described a state of constant anxiety, where even minor notifications trigger panic, prompting her to remain prepared for emergencies involving her family. The emotional strain of ensuring her family’s safety has exacerbated her own mental health challenges.
Similarly, Yolanda, a 16-year-old who fled Honduras as an unaccompanied minor, speaks of her experience living in fear. After an unsettling encounter with ICE agents in April, she has adjusted her daily life to be more cautious.
Yolanda, who requested anonymity due to her ongoing immigration case, recounted, “Honestly, we’ve been walking with precaution because we know that the situation here is difficult. But yes, we’ve been a bit scared.”
In response to events like Yolanda’s, ICE has stated that their actions aim to protect the well-being of unaccompanied minors. In an email to The Spokesman-Review, an ICE spokesperson reiterated their commitment to child safety when conducting investigations regarding these vulnerable populations. However, for Yolanda, the trauma of the encounter has lingered long after the agents left.
To cope with the fallout from her father’s deportation, Guzman-Mercado has maintained a relationship with Nuestras Raíces Community Center, which offers various resources to Latino families in the region. This nonprofit organization provides essential services such as Know Your Rights workshops and mental health support, addressing the heightened fears and challenges faced by these communities.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 8% of Spokane County’s population identifies as Latino, equating to roughly 35,000 individuals. In nearby Grant County, the Latino population is more than 44%, while Adams County reports nearly 65% of its residents as Latino.
Fernanda Mazcot, executive director of Nuestras Raíces, noted an increase in the Latino population in Spokane County, partly due to the influx of new immigrants over recent years. Mazcot initiated the Esperanza program, which provides social services and mental health support to the Hispanic community amid the challenges posed by COVID-19.
Guzman-Mercado acknowledged the assistance provided by Nuestras Raíces but expressed her struggle to fully utilize the services due to her work commitments and family legal matters. Yet, she finds comfort in knowing that the organization, along with the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Spokane, is actively supporting her and others in her situation.
Jose Alvarez, a clinical social worker at the Spokane location of Nuestras Raíces, reported an uptick in the number of youth and families seeking mental health assistance in light of increased ICE activities. Their current estimates suggest a 25% to 35% rise in services requested, indicating that many individuals are grappling with heightened stress and anxiety stemming from the ongoing enforcement climate.
Alvarez commented on the readiness of younger generations to seek help, noting an increasing awareness of the importance of mental wellness. He stated, “Many families are experiencing increased stress, anxiety and instability. This has contributed to a greater need for trauma-informed and culturally responsive mental health support.”
Despite the uptick in outreach at the Spokane location, the Othello branch of Nuestras Raíces has seen a significant decline in clientele. Esmeralda Sandoval, a case manager at the Othello site, reported a staggering 45% decrease in clients seeking services since Trump took office again.
Many departing clients have historically sought mental health support or assistance with obtaining individual taxpayer identification numbers—an important resource for individuals without Social Security numbers, including undocumented immigrants. Sandoval attributes this drop in clientele to a pervasive sense of distrust towards the current administration, causing many to shy away from seeking help.
In Othello, which has a 78% Hispanic population predominantly engaged in agriculture, the fear of retribution from ICE has made residents hesitant to utilize available services. Sandoval, who herself benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, understands the fears of her clients, many of whom are simply trying to survive under increasingly treacherous circumstances.
“With everything under the current administration, it’s hard to trust,” she remarked.
The convergence of fear and the consequent emotional turmoil faced by immigrant families in Washington raises significant concerns about mental health and community well-being. Local organizations remain crucial in providing support, yet many still grapple with the overarching atmosphere of uncertainty and apprehension.
As Guzman-Mercado, Yolanda, and countless others navigate their daily lives, the ongoing struggle for safety and stability continues to define their experiences in the United States.
image source from：dailyfly
