Deportations and ICE raids continue to make headlines across the nation.

The issue impacts many children and their families.

Melissa Whitson, a psychologist and psychology professor at University of New Haven, says this can be alarming for children.

"Adjusting your language and also adjusting how much information you provide you don't want to give all the information to younger kids, answering their questions honestly but limited, and at a level that is appropriate that won't scare them," advises Whitson.

She says the most important thing is to not inflict unnecessary fear onto a child but be honest. Younger children don't need to be given all the information, while teenagers have a wider grasp on topics like immigration. Couple those conversations with reassurance.

"Letting children know we have lots of friends and supports and things like that at all age levels," says Whitson, "something like, 'to be allowed in this country we have paperwork, we have different things, documents and things like that, and we have some but not all,' to make them understand a little bit about that process."

Now that possible raids could happen on school grounds, Whitson mentions the possible impacts it'll have on attendance but she also says it's important to respect what parents feel is the best course of action for their families.

The Connecticut State Department of Education issued a guidance document to every K-12 public school district in the state in response to questions regarding the impact that recent changes in policy guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pertaining to immigration enforcement activities may have on school operations, student privacy, and the safeguarding of students while in school.

You can find that guidance here.