How Latinos in Washington are coping with ICE crackdowns: 'I don't really have time for therapy'
Alejandra Guzman-Mercado was just weeks away from graduating college – the first in her family to do so – when a judge denied her father’s request to remain in the United States and ordered his deportation.
Now, two months later, Guzman-Mercado said she’s still grappling with the emotional weight of her father’s deportation.
“My mental health has had to take a backseat because I’m taking care of other people’s mental health,” she said. “I know it’s counterintuitive, but I don’t really have time for therapy.”
Since President Donald Trump took office in January, Latino communities across Washington have reported increased immigration enforcement, disrupting families and reshaping daily life. Some, like Guzman-Mercado, are left to pick up the pieces after deportations. Others turn to local organizations for help – but many cope alone, unsure where to turn or too afraid to speak out.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/07/12/how-latinos-in-washington-are-coping-with-ice-crackdowns-i-dont-really-have-time-for-therapy/