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Doctors, social workers and advocates warn of traumatic impacts on students and stretched services
Summary
Panelists and providers at the hearing described rising anxiety, anticipatory grief and missed health visits among immigrant children; a pediatrician reported clinical no-shows rising from 10% to 18% since January 2026 and urged protecting health and school access.
Community providers, social workers and a pediatrician told the council that federal enforcement actions are producing persistent anxiety and traumatic stress among immigrant children and their families.
"No child should have to carry that fear," Susanna Barrios, a community advocate with Comite Latino de Baltimore, said, describing parents who hesitate to attend school events and children who arrive at class worried about whether their parent will be home.
Dr. Tanya Caballero, a pediatrician who treats primarily Latino families, offered clinical metrics: since January 2026 her clinic has seen patient no-shows rise from 10% to 18%. She said 244 of 808 children in the clinic27s recent six-month caseload missed primary-care visits, including vaccine and chronic-care appointments.
Mental-health and youth-services leaders described rising caseloads for school-based counselors and social workers and said many families are harder to reach. Karen Dayhoff of Asylee Women Enterprise described higher levels of anxiety and depression, and said organizations have adapted by increasing virtual therapy, delivering groceries and arranging private transport so families can access services without drawing attention.
Panelists urged investment in trauma-informed counseling, expanded after-school supports and stronger coordination between schools, health providers and community organizations to keep children connected to care.
