Zero Tolerance Immigration Policy
From my disaster, I learned that trauma can affect anyone, whether they are big or small. Children may be the most affected by trauma and it may take some time for them to be able to trust again. I think that this assignment has allowed me to notice that it may be more difficult for toddlers to recuperate from trauma because they may not understand language. Parents must be able to show them with actions that they will no longer be separated from them in order to trust again. It is also important to address trauma with children as it may affect them in the future if it goes untreated. This assignment has also taught me that it is hard for parents whom are recuperating from this trauma because they feel guilt of having their kids taken from them. They live with the guilt for a long time because they feel their kids may blame them for the conditions they lived in these locations. I also learned that it may be a challenge to work with parents who may still not have their kids. Though they may no longer be detained, they are constantly reliving the trauma because their kids are not with them.
The aid in this disaster is lacking in different aspects. One of the things that is important to consider is the language barriers. Yes, we are Latinos, but it does not mean that we speak the same language. Many individuals had trouble communicating with lawyers or people in detention centers due to language. It is important that they find ways to be able to incorporate workers with experience in multiple languages to better communicate and provide services to individuals.
The things mentioned above are important to consider for my future work. Even if I do not work with immigrant children and parents, there may be times when I face working with children who have been separated from parents because of DCFS. Reunification may be a big part of that. Currently I work with parents who may not have their children and are working towards to obtaining custody, but I have not been able to work with them regarding the reunification process. I believe it may be important to consider the above because it could be of some use. I should consider it to be able to apply it to how I will work with individuals of different ages to process their trauma/symptoms post-trauma. Not everyone process trauma in the same way like I previously mentioned and it is important to find a way that may work for both child and mom.
I think another thing that I will make sure to incorporate to my future work is language. I speak Spanish as my second language. I am now starting to do therapy work in Spanish and I never realized how important it may be to someone who is in need of services to have someone that they can properly communicate with. I will make sure that I promote my dual language services to individuals to help them feel comfortable and safe when in therapy. It also provides a sense of joining with the client if they are able to speak the same language as them.
Una Carta Para Mi Hijo
Mijo,
Han sido dias desde la ultima vez que te vi. Como estas? Nosotros no estamos bien. Tu papa no ha podido comer ni dormir. Tus hermanas siguen preguntando por ti. Ya no se que decirles. Les digo que vas a regresar pronto pero ni yo me la creo. Te extrañan. Todos te extrañamos. Creo que tu papa piensa que lo culpo porque te llevo con el. Y pienso que si lo culpo. Si te vieras quedado, estarias aca. Pero no sabiamos que esto iba a pasar. El plan era que irias con el para que pudieras ir a la escuela aya. Queriamos que tuvieras un major future que el de nosotros y tampoco estabas seguro aqui. Nunca crei que no vieras estado a salvo en el pais de oportunidad.
Mijo, no se donde estas. No se con quien estas. No se nada. Odio el saber que no puedo hacer nada. Le ruego a Dios que te regrese pronto. Estare cerca del telefono todos los dias por si llamas. Se que nunca recibiras esta carta, pero espero que sepas que nunca dejo de pensar en ti. Te ama, Ama.
A Letter To My Son
Son,
It’s been days since I last saw you. How are you doing? We’re not doing well. Your dad has not been able to eat nor sleep. Your sisters keep asking about you. I do not know what to tell them anymore. I say you are coming soon, but I don’t even believe myself. They miss you. We all miss you. I think your dad thinks I blame him for taking you with him. I think I do. If you would have stayed, you would be here. We did not know this would happen. The plan was that you’d go with him so that you can go to school there. We wanted you to be able to have a better future than we did. It was also no longer safe for you here. I never thought that you would not be safe in the land of opportunity.
Son, I don’t know where you are. I don’t know who you’re with. I don’t know anything. I hate not being able to do anything. I pray to god that he brings you back to us soon. I will be by the phone everyday in case you call. I know that you will never receive this letter, but I just hope you know I never stop thinking of you. I love you, Ma.
