Community anxiety grows amid ICE raid fears and protests

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The mental toll of raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and expected protests in the Rio Grande Valley has been generating fear and anxiety.

Valley Central spoke to two mental health experts who say anxiety and fear in the community are growing; they say more often than not, more people are bringing up these issues during their sessions.

“I have seen some patients come in; specifically, talking about the fear," said Marco Treviño, licensed clinical therapist from McAllen. "And unfortunately, the fear is escalating social withdrawal and isolation.”

He says his number of patients is representative of that growing trend.

“Just this past week, I had about 20 patients and three or four are specifically talking about concerns whether it is pro what is going on right or a reaction to the potential impact they may have on them," Trevino said.

Treviño says he recalls only one other time in his career when a community was so alarmed by social and political issues.

“9/11, with the fear of what is going to happen," the clinical therapist said. "Who are they going to hit next? And, that reminds me a lot of that right now.”

Treviño says the fear is causing fewer people to go out and socialize, which could lead to depressive symptoms.

Psychologist Dr. Vittorio Puente also notes that children are imitating this behavior, which can lead to them becoming worried, tense, having poor focus, and even acting out.

“Their anxiety is starting to intensify," Dr. Puente said. "Much of what we're reviewing in sessions is the potential situations that they are they're going to be encountering, and just what can they do in the meantime? And they don't necessarily understand what's happening, but they do feel that there is a threat to their daily living.”

Health experts say one thing you can do to ease anxiety is to stay well-grounded and create a family plan to be ready for any disruptions, no matter their status.

“Managing the physiological response and the thoughts that are associated with it's like I am going to be deported to a I have a plan, and I know I have support," Dr. Puente said. "And then grounding yourself, breathing exercises, feeling that, feeling that you are in control of your body.”

Dr. Puente hopes family members of people who have already been removed from the country seek support, as they are some of the most deeply impacted.

Treviño says even immigration officers are feeling the mental strain.

“Had one of those patients talked about the guilt and talk about how difficult it is because they can empathize with some of the situations, and they also have a duty to serve their agency," Treviño said.

ValleyCentral contacted ICE to see what the agency is doing to maintain mental health among officers. They have not responded to our request.