Recent immigration arrests in North Carolina have left families waiting for the return of their loved ones. But even in homes where no one has been detained, the fear of separation can disrupt daily life.
In October, Enlace Latino NC reported the arrest of Isaac GallegosA 19-year-old man was arrested during an immigration appointment in Charlotte. The report also documented the case of Rishda Zambrano, whose arrest left his wife to care for their baby while she sought his release.
More recently, on November 5, we reported on the woman arrested in Durham, reported by the organization Siembra NC.
These arrests raise a question that goes beyond migration processes: what happens to the mental health of families living in fear of being separated?
Sandra Viviana Arboleda Moncada, clinical social worker Specializing in psychological assessments for immigration cases, she has observed how this fear can affect both adults and children.
“In one case I worked on specifically, the father was arrested and a 13-year-old boy, his 9-year-old sister, and their mother remained in the house, and they all slept in the living room,” Arboleda told Enlace Latino NC .
The reason was the fear of separating again.
Children who fear their parents will not return
Arboleda explained that the worry about a possible arrest can change the way children relate to their parents.
“Right now, it’s not the parents who are tracking the children, but the children who are tracking the location of their parents,” he said.
According to the specialist, some minors constantly check where their parents are via telephone and ask them not to go out to work for fear of being arrested.
That fear can also lead them to take on responsibilities that are not appropriate for their age.
“It’s a constant fear,” Arboleda noted, adding that she has observed some children begin to behave like protectors of their parents.
The consequences can manifest in different ways. In young children, the specialist mentioned changes such as bedwetting, speech difficulties, irritability, or social withdrawal. Among older children, problems concentrating, behavioral changes, and school absences may appear.
Not all children react the same way, but Arboleda warned that uncertainty can affect their emotional development.
In another case she handled, a woman whose husband had been arrested experienced a recurrence of depression and anxiety. Eating disorders she had faced years earlier also resurfaced.
According to the specialist, these experiences show that an arrest can affect the emotional stability of the entire family, not just the person in custody.
Living in constant alertness
The impact is not limited to those who have already experienced a separation.
“For many immigrant families, fear is not something they experience occasionally,” Arboleda explained. “It becomes part of their daily lives.”
This state of worry can influence everyday decisions such as going to work, driving, attending a medical appointment, or taking children to school.
Among the symptoms she described were difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite, muscle tension, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and anxiety.
Uncertainty can also exacerbate existing mental health problems.
“The fear of separation can generate significant psychological suffering, even when the separation never actually happens,” Arboleda explained.
Bianca Villalobos, a licensed psychologist in California and associate professor at California State University, Northridge, noted that fear of the consequences of immigration can also become a barrier to seeking help.
Villalobos investigates inequalities in access to mental health services for Latino communities. She explained that some immigrants distrust institutions like hospitals and clinics because they fear being asked about their immigration status or that their information will reach the authorities.
Finding therapy in Spanish can also be difficult.
In addition to immigration concerns, there are obstacles that many Latino families already faced in receiving psychological care.
Villalobos identified difficulties related to costs, lack of health insurance, transportation, childcare, and work schedules.
She also pointed out the shortage of professionals who can offer care in Spanish and understand the cultural experiences of their patients.
An survey conducted in 2015 A study by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that 5.5% of health service provider psychologists who responded to the study could offer care in Spanish.
For Villalobos, finding someone who speaks Spanish is important, but not always enough. The professional must also be prepared to assist people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
The psychologist explained that family beliefs can influence the decision to seek help. Some people interpret their symptoms as stress or physical problems, while others avoid talking about their difficulties outside the home.
However, she stressed that family ties can also be an important source of support.
Virtual therapy opens up options, but it doesn't eliminate all barriers.
Daniela Sichel, a psychologist by training and co-founder of the emotional support platform Opción Yo, he is familiar with some of these difficulties from his professional experience.
Sichel emigrated from Venezuela to the United States in 2008. After obtaining a license as a family and couples therapist, she began seeing Latino patients in Miami and found that many had difficulty paying for sessions or finding professionals who understood their culture.
In 2019, she founded Opción Yo with Mariana Morales, with the purpose of expanding access to emotional support in Spanish through virtual sessions.
The platform is specifically designed for the Latino community and aims to provide a space where people can receive support in their own language from professionals familiar with their cultural and immigration experiences. In addition to individual sessions, it offers tools and resources for maintaining emotional well-being between meetings.
The co-founder stated that immigration uncertainty is one of the reasons why some people have sought support on the platform.
Villalobos, who has researched remote psychological care, explained that virtual therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for many people and various mental health problems.
However, she cautioned that its benefits depend on each patient's circumstances. Lack of internet access, suitable devices, or a private space can hinder the sessions.
How can families protect their emotional health?
Given the fear of arrest, Arboleda recommends that families have a preparedness plan.
This includes identifying trusted people who can help in an emergency, keeping important contacts up to date, and seeking guidance from an immigration lawyer.
When there are children, it is essential to maintain routines such as school schedules, meals, and family activities.
It also recommends talking to them honestly and in a way that is appropriate for their age, without making promises that adults cannot guarantee.
The specialist noted that parents should pay attention to persistent changes in sleep, behavior, appetite, or school performance, and seek professional support when necessary.
Where can I find mental health help in Spanish in North Carolina?
There are organizations that offer clinical care, free emotional support, and guidance in finding services. Not all of them provide therapy directly.
The People — Strong Minds
The program Strong Minds It offers 10 free, one-on-one psychoeducational support sessions for adults in North Carolina. They are available in Spanish and can be conducted by phone or in person, depending on the participant's needs.
It does not require health insurance, a specific immigration status, or a prior diagnosis. The sessions are led by trained community health workers; they are not necessarily equivalent to clinical psychotherapy.
Contact: monica@elpueblo.org .
The future
The Organization The future It offers therapy, psychiatry, and other mental health services in Spanish for adults and children from age 6, in Durham and Siler City.
It serves people without health insurance, although its services are not necessarily free. Costs should be checked directly with the organization.
Phone: 919-688-7101 .
Hispanic Federation — NC Health Helpline
La NC Health Line It offers free guidance in Spanish and English to find medical care, mental health services, and other community resources.
It also provides information related to services for immigrants. It does not offer psychological therapy directly.
Phone: 1-844-438-6827 .
Hours: Monday to Friday, from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm. The line serves regardless of immigration status or whether the person has health insurance.
Suicide and Crisis Prevention Line 988
Those experiencing an emotional crisis or needing to talk to someone can call free of charge at 988 , available 24 hours a day.
To receive assistance in Spanish, you must select option 2. You can also send a text message with the word SUPPORT the 988.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the service does not ask about immigration status.
Directories and materials in Spanish
To find professionals, directories are also available in Latinx Therapy and WATER, recommended by Villalobos.
You can also find educational information in Spanish at Mental Health America and the National Institute of Mental Health.
Enlace Latino NC He also previously published a Guide to mental health services for Latinos in North Carolina, as well as a Guide to available care centers in Orange Countywith options for people without health insurance and support services in Spanish.
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