Patchwork of promises: A critical analysis of immigration policies for unaccompanied undocumented children in the United States

Abstract

In 2014, the United States saw a greater than 50% increase in the number of unaccompanied children from Mexico and Central America arriving at the U.S./Mexico border, and unaccompanied children continue to migrate to the United States in consistent numbers. The dramatic increase of 2014 exposed gaps in policies aimed at supporting unaccompanied children as they await legal adjudication. This paper begins with a historic review of immigration policies in the United States aimed at supporting unaccompanied migrant children. An analytic review is provided of existing immigration policies in the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Refugee Resettlement, highlighting the competing paradigms created by missions of security‐focused policy versus child‐centred policy. A close examination of the values that influenced policy development in this area is included, along with a discussion of how social work practice can infuse elements of social justice into immigration policy reform. Areas for future research to reform immigration policy focused on supporting unaccompanied undocumented minors are highlighted.

Mental health of unaccompanied children: effects of U.S. immigration policies

“…Whereas immigration policies affect the mental health of children fleeing persecution, many policies are not developed with a child's mental health or well-being in mind. 8 Asylum procedures are often guided by concerns about enforcement instead of protection. Tasked with a law enforcement mandate, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) facilities have been described as ‘inhumane,’ with references to lack of bedding and bathing facilities, inadequate access to food and water, open toilets, confiscation of belongings and lack of access to essential medical care, sexual violence by staff against children in custody, inappropriate use of solitary confinement, and lack of timely medical treatment contributing to the death of at least nine children under immigration custody since 2018.…”

Policy and Legal Implications for Working with Unaccompanied Immigrant Children in Foster Care in the United States

“…However, advocates argued that due to cases of neglect, prolonged detention, and detention alongside adults that perhaps UC should be cared for in a manner that was more consistent with child welfare principles (LIRS 2015). This advocacy led to The Flores Settlement Agreement of 1997 which mandated standards of care for immigrant children in detention (Hasson et al 2019;LIRS 2015). More specifically, it outlined that immigrant children detained at the border need to be moved out within three days, that once in immigration custody they are cared for in a least restrictive environment, and that they are released as quickly as possible (with the suggestion of within 20 days) to a safe caregiver or child welfare provider (Flores Agreement 1997).…”

Systematic review of former unaccompanied immigrant minors’ access to healthcare services in the United States

“…UMs often hide in the shadows due to a variety of legal and political fears (Hasson III et al, 2018). This is in part because the USA lacks universal immigration laws, policies, and agreements.…”