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

Abstract

Objective

This study examined how children in California perceive and navigate the immigration policy climate, focusing on their emotional responses and the immigration socialization process.

Background

Amid heightened national anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies, children in immigrant and mixed-status families face significant challenges. Understanding their experiences within the sociopolitical context is crucial for developing supportive interventions and informing policy.

Method

In-depth interviews and respondent-driven imagery were used to facilitate conversations with Latinx children of immigrant and mixed-status families, between the ages of 7–12 years (N = 31). Constructivist grounded theory was used to complete the analysis including initial, focused, and axial coding.

Results

The study highlights the emotional toll children experience, including fears of deportation and multigenerational losses, while also illustrating their resilience, empathy, and sense of social responsibility. Children's narratives reveal their interactions with socializing agents—peers, teachers, extended family members, and parents—and the role of media in shaping their perceptions about immigration.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the complex interplay between immigration policies, socialization processes, and children's emotional well-being.

Implications

Policies that prioritize family unity and equitable treatment of immigrant families are critical, alongside the need for trauma-informed practice in educational and community settings.