Heartbreaking Journey: The Invisible Scars of Child Migration from Ecuador to the U.S.
Migration, especially under such harsh conditions, leaves indelible marks on a child's mental health * This vulnerability exposes them to numerous dangers, including exploitation by human traffickers
By Lia Salvador Mendoza, Border Center News, reporting from McAllen, Texas.- Rebeca, an 8-year-old girl from Quito, Ecuador, represents a small fraction of the over 2,500 Ecuadorian children who have arrived in the U.S. as of June 2024, as reported by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Many of these children, including Rebeca, traveled unaccompanied, facing unimaginable hardships during their difficult journeys.
Migration, especially under such harsh conditions, leaves indelible marks on a child's mental health. Psychologists like Mónica Ulloa, who has studied the impact of irregular migration for decades, note that these children often suffer from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The stress of uncertainty and the burden of their experiences can lead to significant emotional and psychological trauma.
Children like Rebeca often undertake these journeys with siblings or other young relatives without the protection of adults. This vulnerability exposes them to numerous dangers, including exploitation by human traffickers or cartels. The trauma of their journeys is compounded by the physical and emotional scars from navigating hazardous routes such as the Darién Gap or the deserts along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The issue extends beyond immediate physical dangers. Psychologist Silvia Navarrete posits that such extreme stress could potentially trigger or exacerbate neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While conclusive studies are lacking, the hypothesis suggests a disturbing potential consequence of the trauma these children endure.
Vilma Calapata, an Ecuadorian migrant from the province of Cotopaxi, has been living in Queens since 2021. She left Ecuador for Managua by plane. She then arrived at the border in a trailer and traveled on foot. “I brought my son, and on many occasions, we slept at night on the hill, in the river. I risked my life and the life of my son too much. One night, that stayed in my mind, which I cannot forget, we slept in the mud and every day they told me, shut up because they are going to kidnap us here. That was the most terrible thing in my life that I put my son in danger, and I regretted having left Ecuador,” says Vilma through tears.The challenges do not end once these children reach the U.S. Educators like Pricila Ibern, who has worked with immigrant children in New York since 1999, have noticed a shift in the needs of these students. An increasing number of them are diagnosed with ASD, which may be linked to the traumas they suffered during migration.
Now, in a new country, these children must navigate the complexities of a new language and educational system, adding another layer of difficulty to their already burdened lives. Their stories are poignant reminders of the ongoing human cost of migration crises.
Legal and psychological support remains crucial for these young migrants. Organizations like Kind provide legal aid and social services to help address the emotional and psychological needs of unaccompanied child migrants. Their work is vital in helping these children integrate and heal.
As discussions around immigration policies continue, it's essential to recognize the profound impact these policies have on the youngest and most vulnerable. The story of children like Rebeca underscores the need for comprehensive solutions that consider the human impact of migration, advocating for policies that support the mental health and well-being of child migrants.
This complex issue requires the attention and cooperation of both the origin and host countries to ensure that the futures of these young migrants are not defined by their traumatic pasts but by their resilience and the opportunities they can seize in their new homes.
