COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — At Valley View Elementary School in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, a therapy dog named Sage is playing a crucial role in helping children cope with the lasting effects of trauma caused by aggressive immigration enforcement actions during the Trump administration. Social worker Nicole Herje engages students who have experienced anxiety related to immigration crackdowns, which resulted in families keeping children from attending school out of fear.
The trauma experienced by these children is profound, particularly for those who witnessed arrests and faced the anxiety of potential deportations within their families. During a recent interaction outside the school library, a young girl expressed her fondness for Sage, recalling her own dog in Ecuador. Many children at Valley View were affected by the crackdown, which saw immigration officers making over 4,000 arrests and carrying out aggressive operations, leading to a dramatic decline in school attendance.
The presence of Sage and other supportive measures at Valley View demonstrates the school’s commitment to addressing the psychological impact of such trauma. At least four students were directly affected by detentions, underscoring the need for effective emotional support strategies. The children are returning to school, and staff members are focusing on recovery and rebuilding their sense of safety.
While virtual learning was implemented to assist students who remained home during the crackdown, the end of online schooling left many children requiring additional emotional support upon their return. Herje notes that the lingering fear adults may not recognize can have troubling effects on children's mental health. Experiences of trauma can result in behavioral changes, such as anxiety and withdrawal. During virtual classes, Herje guided young children in discussions centered around emotions, encouraging them to articulate their feelings of happiness and sadness.
The impact of prolonged exposure to traumatic environments can lead to significant psychological issues in children. Experts like Rebecca Parlakian, from the early childhood advocacy group Zero to Three, highlight how trauma can reshape a child’s brain structure in response to sustained stress. Symptoms of trauma manifest differently among children, depending on numerous factors, including their age and experiences. Cases have emerged of children refusing to eat and engaging in minimal play after being exposed to traumatic events.
Additionally, children without direct immigration concerns also exhibit anxiety linked to the environment. This issue even affected Zeke, a 9-year-old from a family without immigration issues, who became fearful and anxious following a shooting incident involving immigration enforcement. Zeke's experiences reflect the broader strain that immigration policies can impose on the mental well-being of children across diverse backgrounds.
Valley View staff identify children who may require extra help, including those previously detained at a Texas family detention center. Group therapy sessions led by Herje with the assistance of Sage offer a supportive environment for students grappling with their experiences. The return to a structured school environment has provided essential stability for many children, leading to joyous reunions between friends who had been separated for an extended period.
As students continue to share, they express feelings of love and friendship, indicating a desire to rebuild connections that were strained due to fear and trauma. Research emphasizes that the ongoing fear encountered by immigrant families, regardless of legal status, can lead to long-term consequences on children's emotional and educational outcomes.
The experiences of children at Valley View Elementary demonstrate the vital need for supportive measures in schools and communities to address the mental health fallout from immigration enforcement actions. With professionals like Nicole Herje facilitating recovery through initiatives such as therapy dogs, there is hope for healing, resilience, and fortifying the emotional well-being of these impacted youths.
