title: The psychosocial impact of detention and deportation on U.S. migrant children and families.
abstract: Approximately 4.5 million U.S. citizen children live in mixed-status families, in which at least 1 family member is an unauthorized migrant and therefore vulnerable to detention and deportation from the United States (Passel & Cohn, 2011). This article critically examines the current state of the literature on the psychosocial consequences of detention and deportation for unauthorized migrants, mixed-status families, and their U.S.-born children. In particular, drawing on social and psychological theory and research, we (a) review the impact of parents' unauthorized status on children; (b) summarize the literature on the impact of detention processes on psychosocial well-being; (c) describe the dilemma faced by a mixed-status family when a parent faces deportation; (d) examine the current social scientific literature on how parental deportation impacts children and their families; and (e) summarize several policy recommendations for protecting children and families.
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership & School Psychology, Rhode Island College.
authors.forename: Kalina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Brabeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling, Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology, Lynch School of Education, Boston College.
authors.forename: M Brinton
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Lykes
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling, Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology, Lynch School of Education, Boston College.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006806:Human Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D011640:Public Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States