P23-LRI2012-1: 1

Universidad de las Américas Puebla

Métodos de Investigación en Ciencias Sociales

Alma Paola Trejo Pena

Final Project:

Exploring the Psychological Impacts and Human Rights Violations

experienced by Undocumented Mexican Children During the Trump
Administration in the United States

Team:
163258 Arantxa Villegas Téllez
168534 Jose E. Gonzalez Barrientos
171623 Marinatty Barragán Díaz
176271 Isabella Reyes Castro

May 3th, 2023

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Exploring the Psychological Impacts and Human Rights Violations experienced by

Undocumented Mexican Children During the Trump Administration in the United States.

Problem Statement

Project Justification

Our group research project will focus and examine the psychological impacts and violations of

human rights related to undocumented Mexican children living in the United States under

Trump's administration, taking only into consideration relevant events between 2017 to 2021.

The proposed study's focus on the psychological effects and human rights violations related to
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undocumented Mexican children aligns with our fields of organizational, clinical psychology and

international relations. From the perspective of international relations, human rights violations,

including the rights of children, are a critical concern that should be addressed by policymakers.

Organizational and clinical psychology can provide a framework for understanding the

psychological effects of these policies on children, their families, and the broader community. By

integrating these different perspectives, our research project can provide a comprehensive and

nuanced understanding of the issue.

The issue of undocumented immigration, specifically the separation of families at the

US-Mexico border, represents a significant problem that requires immediate attention. The

psychological effects of these policies on undocumented Mexican children, including anxiety,

depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attachment disorders, can have

long-lasting effects on their mental health, development, and future outcomes. Furthermore,

these policies represent a violation of children's human rights, which have been established

under international law. Our study provides an opportunity to shed light on these issues,

identify the root causes, and propose evidence-based solutions to mitigate the psychological

effects and promote the human rights of these children.

The proposed study's outcomes can benefit practitioners, policymakers, and scholars.

Mental health professionals who work with children and families impacted by these policies can

use the study's findings to inform their practices and develop interventions that address the

psychological effects. Policymakers can use the study's recommendations to inform the

development of policies that promote the human rights and well-being of undocumented
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Mexican children. Scholars can use the study's findings to contribute to the academic literature

on the psychological effects of immigration policies on children and the human rights

implications of these policies.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this research proposal is to analyze the psychological effects of human rights

violations on undocumented Mexican children in the United States during the Trump

presidency, and to determine the implications for their well-being and the protection of their

human rights. The data in this paper were collected through research of academic articles by

various authors interested in the topic, in order to determine the impact of Trump's migration

policies and to have information on the psychological and human rights violations in this

vulnerable population. This topic is very important because if we do not have a good diplomatic

relationship between nations, the structure of the policies of these and the laws for migrant

children, this will cause emotional, physical, psychological and social consequences in the

individual that will affect their human development in society. Therefore, the results of this

research can inform policy makers, social workers and mental health professionals in their

efforts to support and protect undocumented children and promote their human rights while

raising awareness of this issue and giving it the relevance it should have.

Table: Research Overview

Approach
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Research Question What psychological impacts do detention facilities have on immigrant Mexican

children as a deterrent measure towards undocumented migration during

Trump's administration.

Hypothesis The development and cruel enforcement of unjust migrant policies leads to

negative psychological issues on children. For example, forced maternal &

paternal separation, Difficulties on social and emotional development, and a lack

of risk prevention. The violation of rights in a child is linked to an increased

possibility of risk and harm that a migrant child from Mexico can experience.

This problem can also particularly increase when U.S. politicians refer to these

children in an extremely critical and racist manner.

Objective To investigate the psychological effects of human rights violations on

undocumented Mexican children in the United States during Trump's presidency,

and to analyze the implications for their well-being and the protection of their

human rights. To determine the impact of Trump's migration policies on

undocumented Mexican children in the US, and to shed light on the

psychological and human rights violations on this vulnerable population. The

findings of this research can inform policymakers, social workers, and mental

health professionals in their efforts to support and protect undocumented

children and promote their human rights.

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Importance of the Project

Due to immigration policies, especially during the Trump administration, undocumented

Mexican children have faced dehumanizing treatment and psychological anguish in the United

States. Policymakers, academics, and practitioners have paid insufficient attention to the effect

of these policies on the psychological well-being of these children. The significance of this

project stems from its thorough investigation of the negative psychological and societal impacts

of imprisonment, separation, and deportation on undocumented Mexican children, as well as

how it abuses their human rights. It also seeks to provide insights into the policy implications

and suggestions for the preservation of these vulnerable populations' human rights.

The importance of this project extends beyond the immediate worries of undocumented

Mexican children. This research will help us comprehend how government policies can harm

vulnerable groups, with long-term consequences for social, psychological, and economic

variables. Because children are society's future, their well-being must be emphasized, and

policies must be created with their best interests in mind. We aim to increase consciousness

among policymakers, researchers, and practitioners about the significance of human rights and

how policies can affect the psychological well-being of undocumented Mexican children through

this initiative.

The results and suggestions of the project will serve as a foundation for US policymakers

interested in enhancing the quality of life and better treating migrants, especially

undocumented Mexican children. The significance of this initiative goes beyond increasing

public consciousness and tackling societal biases and misconceptions about immigrants and
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refugees. Understanding the repercussions of policies that separate families and imprison

children for political benefit is critical. As a result, the significance of this initiative rests in its

ability to influence policy choices and safeguard the human rights of undocumented Mexican

children, ultimately leading to a more humane and equitable society.

Proposed Project Approach

Our research project will focus on three key concepts: transculturalism, separation, and

incarceration. Transculturalism involves examining the challenges that arise from being raised in

a culture that differs from the one in which a child is living. Separation entails the trauma of

being separated from family members due to migration-related issues. Lastly, incarceration

refers to the psychological impact of being detained in detention centers.

Our project approach will be arranged chronologically, focusing on relevant events

between 2017 and 2021. We will analyze the data collected from primary sources such as

government reports, official statements, news articles, and academic literature. This approach

will provide a comprehensive understanding of the psychological and social impacts of

undocumented Mexican children's experiences during Trump's presidency. To achieve our

project's results, we will use a mixed-methods approach. We will use qualitative data analysis to

examine the narratives of migrant children, families, and professionals. Additionally, we will use

quantitative data analysis to examine the incidence and prevalence of psychological and social

issues experienced by Mexican migrant children.

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The study population for our research project will include Mexican migrant children

living in the United States during Trump's presidency. We will analyze the data collected from

primary sources to gain insights into the psychological and social impacts of migration-related

issues on this vulnerable population. The results of our research project will be achieved by

providing policymakers, scholars, and practitioners with an understanding of the psychological

and social effects of detention, separation, and migration-related issues on undocumented

Mexican children. We hope that our project will contribute to a better understanding of the

challenges faced by this population and lead to the development of effective policies and

interventions that protect the human rights and mental health of migrant children.

Table: Methodological Table

Paradigm We will use mixed-methods.

- Qualitative data analysis to examine the narratives of migrant children,

families, and professionals.

- Quantitative data analysis to examine the incidence and prevalence of

psychological and social issues experienced by Mexican migrant children.

Instruments Government reports, official statements, news articles, and academic literature.

Data sources We will analyze the data collected from primary sources to gain insights into the

psychological and social impacts of migration-related issues on this vulnerable

population.
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Participant´s profile The study population for our research project will include Mexican migrant

children living in the United States during Trump's presidency.

Overarching Study Question(s)/Statement of Project Intent

How did the Trump administration's policies and actions towards undocumented Mexican

children in the United States impact their psychological well-being and violate their human

rights?

The intent of this project is to examine the negative psychological and social effects of

incarceration, separation, and deportation on undocumented Mexican children and to evaluate

how the policies and actions of the Trump administration violated their human rights. By

conceptualizing the study into three main themes of transcourse, separation, and incarceration,

we aim to analyze the psychological impact of each stage of the process. The study will draw

from both quantitative and qualitative research methods to provide a comprehensive

understanding of the issue. Through this project, we hope to contribute to the understanding of

the effects of government policies on vulnerable populations and inform future policies that

prioritize the protection of human rights.

Table: Chronogram Gantt Chart

Member Activities January - February - March March - April

February
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Arantxa Villegas Proposed Choice of the 15/02: Diagram of the 4 01/03: Format the

Téllez project theme and the Ws: Who?, research question,

approach organization of What?Where? and hypothesis and

the teams. When? objectives to be

Isabella Reyes Importance of
With this diagram we evaluated by the teacher
Castro the project
were able to expand our and to be approved for
Jose E. Gonzalez Project
research topic and look further development of
Barrientos justification
for the causes that will the project and focus on

Marinatty Purpose follow up this research. other areas of research.

Barragán Díaz statement

To focus our 20/02: 01/03: Format the

project on Tree diagram: identify research question,

something the causes and hypothesis and

specific: consequences of our objectives to be

migration (in problem in order to have evaluated by the teacher

the case of a starting point to carry and to be approved for

Mexican out the research. further development of

migrant the project and focus on

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children) and other areas of research.

psychology, to

show a new

research

approach

between

international

relations and

psychology

careers.

22/02: Identify the

independent and

dependent variables of

our subject of study and

obtain our research

question, with which we

seek to obtain

information and look for

the relationship
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between the two

variables and the

different causes that are

linked to the original

problem.

27/02: Research

overview table where

we will develop our

research question,

hypothesis and research

objectives, with the

purpose of launching a

question to our problem

in order to solve it

throughout our research

and propose the

different objectives to

search for evidence and

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investigate the topic

more thoroughly

28/02: Selection of

reliable sources to lead

the research of the

project (3 sources per

person) and distribution

of activities for the

development of the

justification of the topic.

References

Canales Lizaola y Lizárraga Salas, F. “El efecto Trump: la migración mexicana en la agenda
mediática de la prensa de México y Estados Unidos: La Jornada, El Universal y La
Opinión. Interdisciplina”. (The Trump effect: Mexican migration in the media agenda of
the press in Mexico and the United States: La Jornada, El Universal and La Opinión).
127-147. 2019.

Carmona, Jorge A. "The Impact of Immigration Detention on Mental Health: A Literature

Review." National Institute of Corrections, Apr. 2017.

Cheatham, A. & Roy, D. U.S. “Detention of Child Migrants. Council on Foreign Relations”. 2021.
Dreby, Joanna. "Divided by Borders: Mexican Migrants and Their Children”. Berkeley, University
Of California Press, 2010.

Edyburn, K. L., & Meek, S. “Seeking safety and humanity in the harshest immigration climate in a
generation: A review of the literature on the effects of separation and detention on
migrants and asylum‐seeking children and families in the United States during the Trump
administration”. Social Policy Report, 34(1), 1-46. 2021.
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Flores, Mary Elizabeth. "In the Wake of Immigration Raids, A Community Unites to Support
Children Left Behind." Southern California Public Radio, 2 Aug. 2019.

Gramlich, John. "What We Know About Illegal Immigration from Mexico." Pew Research Center,
12 Mar. 2020.

Hampton, K., Raker, E., Habbach, H., Camaj Deda, L., Heisler, M., & Mishori, R. “The
psychological effects of forced family separation on asylum-seeking children and parents
at the US-Mexico border: A qualitative analysis of medico-legal documents”. 2021.

Human Rights Watch. "Family Separation and US Detention of Migrant Children." Human Rights
Watch, 7 Oct. 2020.
Sophia Jordán Wallace, and Chris Zepeda-Millán. “Walls, Cages, and Family Separation”.
Cambridge University Press, 31 Oct. 2020.

Todres, J. “The Trump Effect, children, and the value of human rights education. Family Court
Review”. 331-343. 2018.

Vera Noriega, J. Á., & Robles Luján, J. A. “Condiciones de vida y psicosociales de niños migrantes
en el noroeste de México”. (Living and psychosocial conditions of migrant children in
Northwestern Mexico). Social Sciences Magazine. 10(2), 345-365. 2020.

Wood, L. “Impact of punitive immigration policies, parent-child separation and child detention
on the mental health and development of children”. BMJ Paediatrics Open. 2018.