11/19/2025
Maribel Lopez has been separated from her children since early September, detained and deported to Guatemala, leaving behind her 2-year-old son. She has a pending asylum case on appeal after fleeing years of abuse in her home country.
This isn’t just a news story. It’s a reminder: separation from a primary caregiver isn’t something a baby “gets over.” It’s trauma. And for babies and toddlers, that trauma shows up in ways many adults don’t recognize. Trouble sleeping. Clinginess. Aggression. Silence. Confusion. Deep sadness. It can leave lasting scars.
Professionals working with immigrant families often ask: “How can I help this child? What do I say to the caregiver left behind? How do I even begin to make this okay?”
Access our resource for professionals who work with families affected by deportation, detention and forced separation: https://bit.ly/4dZLgMf
It’s trauma-informed, culturally-responsive and built for home visitors, caseworkers, therapists, early childhood educators, community leaders and others who are walking into these situations and trying to carry some of the weight.