When Family Views Clash: Immigration Is Not Political, It Is Personal

Right now, many families are facing difficult conversations. Some of the most painful are the ones where views on immigration collide. You might be sitting across from a loved one who makes comments that feel deeply hurtful, especially when they reflect a lack of understanding about something you or your family have lived through. These moments can leave you feeling unseen, unheard, or emotionally torn.

Immigration is not just a political topic. It is a human issue. It is about families searching for safety. It is about parents sacrificing everything to offer their children a better life. It is about children navigating between cultures and carrying silent burdens. It is about basic human rights, the right to exist with dignity, and the right to belong.

As a therapist and someone who comes from an immigrant family, I understand this deeply. My own story is rooted in generations of courage, sacrifice, and resilience. I have witnessed the silent struggles of navigating two worlds, of translating for elders, of holding fears that many others cannot understand. I know what it means to be proud of where you come from while carrying the pressure to survive in a system that doesn’t always feel fair or welcoming.

In my work, I sit with individuals and families who are trying to process these very struggles. I have supported children living with fear that a parent might not return home. I have helped women work through trauma while navigating the complexities of immigration court. I have listened to people describe the pain of feeling emotionally disconnected from family members whose views invalidate their experience.

So what can you do when your loved ones hold beliefs that feel harmful or dismissive

What happens when someone you care about refuses to see the human story behind immigration

Here are a few reminders I often share with my clients

You do not need to stay in a conversation that feels hurtful or unsafe. Setting boundaries is not rejection. It is self-care.

Your story matters. Sometimes sharing your lived experience helps others understand in a way facts or statistics cannot.

Your emotions are valid. Whether you feel hurt, angry, confused, or numb, those feelings deserve space and compassion.

It is okay to hold space for love and disagreement. You can care about someone and still create distance if that protects your peace.

You do not have to prove your worth. Your humanity is not something that needs to be debated.

Right now, the world feels heavy. News cycles are loud and opinions are everywhere. But behind every policy are real people. Behind every opinion is often a deeper fear or misunderstanding. And in every family, there is the potential for healing, if not through agreement, then at least through compassion and respect.

I hope that in the midst of these hard conversations, you are reminded that you are not alone. There are many of us walking a similar path, navigating the tension between love, loyalty, and the truth of our lived experiences.

This is not about politics. This is about people. This is about your story, your roots, and your right to be here. And that will always be personal.

If you are struggling with these conversations or feeling isolated in your experience, I welcome you to reach out. Therapy can offer a space where you feel seen, supported, and strengthened. I am here for you. With offices located in both Montebello and Newport Beach, I offer a safe and compassionate environment where healing and reconnection can begin.

With care,
Maria Jessica Quiroz