Advocating for humane treatment of immigrants. In June, APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump expressing the association’s “shock and dismay about the burgeoning humanitarian crisis at the border and in U.S.-run detention facilities.” Evans strongly emphasized the need for the Trump administration to work with Congress to enact legislation to increase funding to deliver care, improve nutrition and train personnel to provide proper care for these immigrants, especially the children. He cited empirical evidence of the psychological harm experienced when children and parents are separated. Watch a video at https://youtu.be/HCpkL8T60LEopens in new window.
Supporting Dreamers. In April, APA sent a letter to House and Senate leadership supporting legislation that would prevent deportation for certain immigrants who entered the United States when they were children. The letter highlighted research about the deleterious effects of parent-child separations and how the fear of deportation can have negative health consequences.
Speaking out on the trauma of separation policy. In February, APA member Cristina Muñiz de la Peña, PhD, testified at a congressional hearing where she described the trauma she’s observed in patients who have experienced separations.
Fighting harmful policies. In December 2018, APA sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security opposing a proposed policy that would decrease the number of low-income immigrants admitted to the United States and limit existing immigrants’ ability to access food assistance and Medicaid.
Psychologists interested in helping can contact Serena Dávila, APA’s senior legislative and federal affairs officer, at sdavila@apa.org.
