Supporting Children After a Parent’s Deportation or Detention (English, Spanish, Somali, Haitian Creole, Pashto, Dari, Portuguese, Karen, Hmong, Ukrainian)
Summary
We are very grateful to the infant and child mental health professionals associated with the University of Minnesota who created this resource and Hopewell Hodges for the pop-up training. Resources created by: Hodges, H. R., Abdi, S. M., Banegas, J. M., Doyle, C. M., Lingras, K. A., & Masten, A. S. (2026). Supporting children after a parent’s deportation or detention. Translations will be posted as they are made available.
The deportation of a parent can be a very stressful and frightening event for a child of any age. When our communities experience violence and fear, children and the adults who care for them carry that weight. At Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health, our values remain clear and unwavering: every child, caregiver and family deserves safety, dignity, and care. We know trauma has ripple effects in our communities, and it is our collective responsibility to respond with accountability, compassion, and support.
We are very grateful to the infant and child mental health professionals associated with the University of Minnesota who created this resource and Hopewell Hodges for the pop-up training. Resources created by: Hodges, H. R., Abdi, S. M., Banegas, J. M., Doyle, C. M., Lingras, K. A., & Masten, A. S. (2026). Supporting children after a parent’s deportation or detention. Translations will be posted as they are made available.
English
The deportation of a parent can be a very stressful and frightening event for a child of any age. Children may show mental health and behavioral challenges as they process the separation and adjust to the change in their lives. This document was prepared by child mental health professionals, and it describes ways to support healthy development and resilience for children in this difficult situation. It is intended for children’s primary caregivers, along with other supportive adults, like teachers and neighbors.
You may also reference this document.
Spanish Español: Apoyo a los niños tras la deportación o detención de uno de sus padres
La deportación de un padre puede ser un evento muy estresante y aterrador para un niño/a de cualquier edad. Los niños/as pueden mostrar problemas de salud mental y de comportamiento mientras procesan la separación y se adaptan al cambio en sus vidas. Este documento ha sido elaborado por profesionales de la salud mental infantil y describe formas de apoyar el desarrollo saludable y la resiliencia de los niños/as en esta difícil situación. Está destinado a los cuidadores principales de los niños/as, junto con otros adultos que les brindan apoyo, como maestros y vecinos. También puede consultar este documento.
Somali: Taageeridda Carruurtsa Ka Dib Mastaafurinta ama Xayiraadda Waalidka
Masaafurinta waalidku waxay noqon kartaa dhacdo aad u walaac badan oo cabsi leh oo ku dhacda ilmaha da’ kasta leh. Carruurtu waxay muujin karaan caqabado caafimaad maskaxeed iyo dhaqan marka ay ka shaqeynayaan kala tagga oo ay la qabsadaan isbeddelka noloshooda. Dukumentigan waxaa diyaariyey xirfadlayaasha caafimaadka dhimirka ee carruurta, wuxuuna qeexayaa siyaabaha lagu taageeri karo horumarka caafimaadka leh iyo adkeysiga carruurta xaaladdan adag ku jirta. Waxaa loogu talagalay daryeelayaasha aasaasiga ah ee carruurta, iyo sidoo kale dadka waaweyn ee kale ee taageera, sida macallimiinta iyo deriska. Waxa kale oo aad tixraaci kartaa dukumeentigan.
Haitian Creole: Sipòte timoun yo apre depòtasyon oswa detansyon yon paran
Depòtasyon yon paran ka yon evènman ki bay anpil estrès ak anpil laperèz pou yon timoun, kèlkeswa laj li. Timoun yo ka montre pwoblèm sante mantal ak nan konpòtman pandan y ap eseye konprann separasyon an epi adapte yo ak chanjman ki rive nan lavi yo. Se pwofesyonèl sante mantal pou timoun ki prepare dokiman sa a epi li dekri fason pou soutni bon devlopman ak rezistans timoun yo nan sitiyasyon difisil sa a. Li fèt pou moun prensipal k ap pran swen timoun, ansanm ak lòt granmoun ki bay sipò, tankou pwofesè ak vwazen. Epitou, ou kapab itilize dokiman sa a kòm referans.
Portuguese: Apoiando Crianças Após a Deportação ou Detenção de um dos Pais
A deportação de um dos pais pode ser um evento muito estressante e assustador para uma criança de qualquer idade. As crianças podem apresentar desafios de saúde mental e comportamentais enquanto processam a separação e se adaptam à mudança em suas vidas. Este documento foi preparado por profissionais de saúde mental infantil e descreve maneiras de apoiar o
desenvolvimento saudável e a resiliência de crianças nesta situação difícil. É destinado aos cuidadores primários das crianças, juntamente com outros adultos que oferecem apoio, como professores e vizinhos. Você também pode consultar este documento.