Dear Editor
As Tonga stands on the verge of potentially receiving deported individuals from the United States, many of whom are linked to gangs, it is critical that we, as a nation, prepare ourselves to meet this challenge with a holistic and compassionate approach. These deportations, specifically targeting gang members living in the U.S. illegally under the Trump administration's mass deportation plan, could see the return of Tongans who have lived abroad for most of their lives. Many of these individuals, despite their involvement in gangs, are not merely criminals but are people shaped by trauma, displacement, and a lack of belonging. Addressing their needs requires both understanding and intentional action.
Understanding the psychological needs and mindsets
The gang members who may be deported often share common psychological characteristics shaped by their life experiences. These include:
- A Deep Sense of Displacement: Many deportees were raised in environments where they struggled to fit in, whether due to cultural differences, socioeconomic challenges, or systemic discrimination. Gangs often provided a sense of identity, belonging, and protection they could not find elsewhere.
- Trauma and Survival Mindset: Their involvement in gang life is frequently tied to exposure to violence, abuse, and instability. This leads to a survival mindset, where trust is scarce, and aggression becomes a primary tool for navigating the world.
- Lack of Emotional Regulation Skills: Many gang members have not had the opportunity to develop healthy coping mechanisms or emotional regulation skills. This can lead to reactive behavior and difficulty adjusting to new environments.
- Low Self-Worth: Beneath the bravado of gang affiliation often lies a profound sense of inadequacy and unworthiness. This is exacerbated when they are rejected by the country they have lived in for years and forced to return to a homeland they barely know.
A call for community and Government action
To successfully reintegrate these individuals into Tongan society, we must adopt a multi-faceted approach that addresses their psychological needs and fosters a sense of acceptance and purpose. Here are some key recommendations:
Develop Rehabilitation and Support Programs: The government should establish programs specifically tailored to the needs of deportees, including counseling, skills training, and education. Partnering with NGOs, churches, and community leaders can amplify these efforts.
Provide Family Support: Families play a crucial role in reintegration but may feel unequipped to handle the challenges. Workshops and support groups can empower families with the tools they need to rebuild relationships and create a supportive environment for returning members.
Foster a Sense of Belonging: The broader Tongan community must be encouraged to welcome deportees with compassion rather than judgment. Programs that celebrate cultural identity and reconnect individuals with their heritage can help heal the wounds of displacement.
Receive Them with Kindness: It is vital that we avoid receiving these deported individuals with negativity. Instead, we should welcome them home with love and channel them into prosocial environments that offer hope and purpose. These gang members or adults have often been hurt enough, and joining a gang was likely part of their coping mechanisms. By creating spaces where they feel valued and supported, we can steer them away from joining existing gangs in Tonga and toward a positive future.
See Them as Individuals to Be Loved: Instead of looking at these gang members as problems to be solved, we must view them as individuals to be loved. Their experiences and skills from the U.S. could be redirected to positively influence Tonga’s youth and help prevent future gang involvement. By welcoming them into a supportive and caring community, we reduce the risk of them seeking love and acceptance among antisocial peers in Tonga.
Address the Root Causes: Beyond immediate support, we must tackle the systemic issues that make gang life appealing to vulnerable youth, such as poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and limited access to mental health care.
Drawing from personal experience
Having worked for over 12 years as a counselor and youth development specialist in one of Utah's most notorious juvenile prisons--Decker Lake Youth Center-- I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of empathy and targeted intervention. Many of the young men I worked with were high-risk, gang-affiliated, hardened by their circumstances yet yearning for connection and purpose. They, like us, all want to be loved. Time and again, I saw how investing in their emotional well-being, teaching them skills, and offering them hope for a better future led to profound changes.
Instead of condemning these deportees, Tonga has the opportunity to lead with compassion and vision. By addressing the psychological needs of returning gang members and embracing them as part of our community, we can turn a potential crisis into an opportunity for redemption and transformation.
Let us show these brothers and sisters the strength of our cultural values—‘ofa (love), faka’apa’apa (respect), and tauhi vaha'a (develop and keep the relationships)—as we navigate this challenge together.
Seni Penitani
(Nomuka)
