In early May 2018, the Trump administration introduced a zero-tolerance policy to deter the illegal entry of individuals going across the Mexican border into the United States.1 This policy resulted in the deliberate, government-sponsored separation of more than 2300 children from their parents over 2 months.2 Seven weeks later, following widespread national and international condemnation of this practice, on 20 June 2018, President Trump issued an executive order temporarily ending the separation practice, but leaving the zero-tolerance policy in effect.3 Whether this policy achieves the intended administration goals of reducing illegal immigration and/or forcing the drafting of new legislation to address immigration issues remains to be seen. But, based on the extensive knowledge of child development and effects of toxic stress,4,5 it is clear that the separation of infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents from their parents will have serious and lasting adverse effects on health. The long-term fate of these children remains an unanswered question, as well.

Immigration is a complex matter affecting many countries around the globe. Unstable and unsafe local conditions, be they from war, cartel activity, or local economic collapse leading to starvation and medical calamity, are triggering individuals across the world to leave their homelands where generations of their ancestors lived. Many of these individuals are in quest for basic sustenance and safety, not a pot of gold. Such migration can lead to an influx of individuals from different ethnic backgrounds into countries, setting up political clashes with the status quo. The support for new immigrants, and the costs to manage immigration, create both economic and social benefits and pressures that are difficult to quantify. As such, policies have been developed in the United States and other countries to manage immigrant influx.

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account
Continue with Google
Continue with ORCiD