World Immigration News

Why Immigration Policy Changes are Causing Long-term Financial Harm to U.S. Citizens

Release Date
2025-12-04
Media
Center for Retirement Research
Summary
The article argues that detaining or deporting immigrant parents can inflict long-term harm on their U.S.-citizen children. It highlights the case of Gustavo Aguilera Aguero, a Venezuelan man with no criminal record who legally entered the U.S. through the CBP One app, worked with authorization, and whose U.S.-born son was separated from him after Aguilera Aguero was mistakenly arrested—apparently because of his tattoos—and deported.

Such forced separation counts as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), which is known to reduce educational attainment, hinder stable employment, increase divorce rates, and raise dependence on public assistance. New research using the NLSY79 shows that adults who experienced parental separation have 23% lower median net worth in their late 50s and early 60s, largely due to reduced education, lower lifetime earnings, and more unstable family circumstances.

With recent policy changes—such as the Supreme Court allowing the administration to revoke legal status for over 600,000 Venezuelans—many people who entered legally may suddenly lose protection. The article questions whether deporting parents who originally came legally is worth the long-term harm to their American children, arguing that the government appears willing to accept these consequences.
Tags
United States of America

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