The Systemic Abuse of the U.S. Deportation System: Effects of ICE Detention and Deportation on Latinx Immigrants and Mixed-Status Families

The separation of families has been a form of institutionalized racism and systemic abuse throughout history, which has created oppression and negative consequences on people, even today through the U.S. federal deportation system. In this paper, I use in-depth interviews to access the experiences of undocumented individuals and families to examine the effects they bear, closely aiming at reports of unjust treatment, mental health effects, and consequences on the family unit. Main findings include racism and mental anguish. Racism in the United States has led to non-progressive policies and injustices, which have provoked negative effects on the well-being of the immigrant population of our society.