What are five stressors that undocumented Latinx students have which school counselors should be aware of?

Undocumented Latinx youth who immigrate to the United States face many challenges in accessing educational and employment opportunities that are exacerbated by the difficulty in adapting to American culture in unfamiliar surroundings. Making things worse is the factious debate surrounding immigration reform which permeates the news cycle every day. School counselors are uniquely positioned to help undocumented Latinx students in schools because they have ready access to an extensive network of professionals including mental health therapists, education specialists, social workers, career coaches, and health care providers—all of whom are trained to address specific needs that undocumented Latinx students may have. But to match the right kind of help with the specific needs of an undocumented student, school counselors must first develop a better understanding of the pressure points these youth contend with daily. This article examines five of those stressors.

Latinx immigrant students who lack documentation may face discrimination

Latinx young people who are undocumented sometimes face discrimination because of their skin color, lack of English language skills, and immigration status. At its extreme, discrimination can lead to bullying in schools and create an environment where tensions are heightened, and the student feels threatened.

Poverty is a major stressor for many undocumented Latinx immigrants

Extensive research demonstrates the cyclical nature of poverty in low-income neighborhoods that give rise to social problems such as violence, drugs, teen pregnancy, and broken homes. A paper authored by researchers from George Mason University’s School of Education on the challenges facing undocumented Latinx youth cites existing studies which found that this subgroup is more likely to experience poverty compared with their documented peers. The lack of documentation results in fewer educational and employment opportunities which leads to reduced access to food, housing, and health care.

Undocumented Latinx youth may struggle with depression

Latinx youth as a group may have higher rates of depression compared with youth of other ethnicities, according to some research studies. The literature suggests that undocumented immigrants, especially those who recently arrived in the United States, may be at an even higher risk of depression compared with individuals who are documented due to the extraordinary level of trauma and stress they undergo when leaving their homeland under difficult circumstances.

Fear of deportation is a constant worry for undocumented Latinx youth

Undocumented Latinx youth live in constant fear that they could be caught up in neighborhood “sweeps” that are conducted periodically, without advance warning, by U.S. law enforcement and immigration officials. This can cause anxiety in even the most mundane activities that most people take for granted such as taking a bus, driving a car, or just going for a walk. Undocumented Latinx youth live day-in and day-out with the threat that they could be apprehended at any time and deported to the country from which they fled, and this can have serious ramifications. For example, Mason researchers reference existing studies which suggest that the fear of deportation could cause undocumented immigrants to forego necessary health care provided by hospitals and medical facilities. This can lead to health care disparities in the undocumented Latinx population subgroup. Parents may also delay the enrollment of undocumented Latinx youth in school because of deportation concerns.

Latinx youth without proper documentation face challenges in assimilating to U.S. culture

The process of acculturation, or assimilation to the U.S. culture, can be difficult for any immigrant subgroup. But for undocumented Latinx youth, the process can be especially difficult because of their immigration status. Mason researchers point out that while undocumented Latinx youth are trying to adapt to the cultural norms of this country, their status may stop them from experiencing the “traditional rites of passage” such as getting their first job, getting a driver’s license, and attending college. This can lead to undocumented Latinx young people feeling marginalized and alone.

To learn more read this article authored by Dr. Regine M. Talleyrand, Academic Program Co-coordinator of the Counseling Program in Mason’s School of Education, and Jennifer Thanh-Giang Vojtech with Community Agency Counseling at Mason. We invite you to visit Mason’s Counseling program to learn more about our degree offerings in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health.