Community Outreach Efforts
On October 5th, 2017, President Trump’s administration terminated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program allowing undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to receive renewable two-year education and work permits that protected them from deportation. Since 2012, there are approximately 800,000 young undocumented immigrants who have received protection under the DACA program and about 300,000 more eligible for benefits. This event along with growing animosity against people of different backgrounds and political orientations has led to increased distress and fear among the undocumented community. In response to the needs of those affected directly or indirectly by the termination of DACA, the BMED Lab is leading outreach efforts through Projecto Voces. Current and recent efforts include:
Mental Health in the Post-DACA Era: Building Strength Among Undocumented Immigrants, DACA Recipients, and Those Who Love Them, October 28th, 2017
On Saturday October 28th, Dr. Garcini will present a talk to a group of young adult Hispanic leaders from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston aimed to provide practical recommendations to cope with distress within current socio-political context. The information presented is the result of collaborative efforts among members and psychologists from the National Latino Psychological Association (NLPA), which Dr. Garcini is a part of.