Father deported to Mexico, leaving U.S. citizen son with mental health crisis
Oct 3, 2025·Location: Los Angeles, CA
Country of origin: Mexico

Saúl Zermeño, a 45-year-old single father with deferred action status, was deported to Mexico after attending a routine ICE check-in appointment on October 3. His 15-year-old U.S. citizen son Damian, who has ADHD, autism, and other health conditions, was left without his sole caregiver. Damian subsequently experienced severe emotional distress including depression, anxiety, inability to focus in school, and withdrawal from activities.
Sources
- Arrests of Immigrant Parents Create Mental Health Crisis for Children - KFF Health News
kffhealthnews.org·Jun 18, 2026·archived copy
- Arrests of Immigrant Parents Create Mental Health Crisis for Children
gilmermirror.com·archived copy
- When ICE takes a parent, children are left with trauma that can last years
San Francisco Chronicle·Jun 22, 2026·archived copy
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