Exploitation and labor and sex trafficking of children and adolescents is a major public health problem in the United States and throughout the world. Significant numbers of US and non-US–born children and adolescents (including unaccompanied immigrant minors) are affected by this growing concern and may experience a range of serious physical and mental health problems associated with human trafficking and exploitation (T/E). Despite these considerations, there is limited information available for health care providers regarding the nature and scope of T/E and how providers may help recognize and protect children and adolescents. Knowledge of risk factors, recruitment practices, possible indicators of T/E, and common medical, mental, and emotional health problems experienced by affected individuals will assist health care providers in recognizing vulnerable children and adolescents and responding appropriately. A trauma-informed, rights-based, culturally sensitive approach helps providers identify and treat patients who have experienced or are at risk for T/E. As health care providers, educators, and leaders in child advocacy and development, pediatricians play an important role in addressing the public health issues faced by children and adolescents who experience exploitation and trafficking. Working across disciplines with professionals in the community, health care providers can offer evidence-based medical screening, treatment, and holistic services to individuals who have experienced T/E and assist vulnerable patients and families in recognizing signs of T/E.

Applications for asylum in the United States have increased significantly in the past decade, including those by children fleeing persecution. Pediatricians may serve as a resource for children seeking asylum by participating in specialized training and performing forensic medical evaluations for use in the legal process. A forensic medical evaluation comprises an interview to elicit a narrative of reported abuse, a psychological assessment, and/or a medical assessment. Evaluators document an impression of the consistency of medical and psychological findings with the trauma, which forms the legal basis for a child's asylum claim. This article provides guidance to pediatrician evaluators with an emphasis on an age- and development-specific approach to a forensic medical evaluation of children seeking asylum. Collaboration with primary care pediatricians and community partners about asylum evaluations is important to building support for immigrant children who have experienced trauma. [ Pediatr Ann . 2020;49(5):e215–e221.]

The process of being granted asylum is complex, often taking months and years. Asylum seekers face high risk of being denied asylum in the United States. As medical and psychological evaluations assist in achieving successful asylum outcomes, human rights asylum clinics are being established throughout the country to facilitate these types of evaluations. The Midwest Human Rights Consortium, a multiinstitutional, interdisciplinary initiative, is working to streamline the referral process and increase the evaluator workforce through training and mentorship of practitioners. More work is needed to establish evidence-based, child-centered, and trauma-informed best practices in training evaluators and performing evaluations.The American Medical Association designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ available through the AMA Ed Hub TM . Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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The Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Refugee Immigrant Child Health Initiative (RICHI), a collaboration of physicians and child advocates, is one of the most robust state chapter programs of its kind. RICHI evolved by tapping into its key demographics to discern both patient needs and providers' skill sets. Although both may be unique to Illinois and its provider base, they can nonetheless provide a framework for creating and guiding state chapters to support the special needs of children in immigrant families. This article illustrates the importance of identifying and analyzing relevant local demographic and policy-related concerns and how to build capacity, connect to local resources, and form key partnerships. [ Pediatr Ann . 2020;49(5):e228–e232.]