Findings demonstrate population growth of children of immigrants, locations, and other details that statistically describe their presence and circumstances in the U.S.
Read MoreThe “best interest” principle is examined as effects judicial decisions affecting children. (Link provides abstract only without institutional or paid access.)
Read the AbstractThis factsheet describes the reunification process for foster children and their families, including resources and expectations of what may happen during and after foster care and how to best facilitate the return home.
Get the FactsheetThis study examines two organizations serving unaccompanied minors crossing the U.S.–Mexico Border as well as the policy context for capacity investments and capacity building in the government and nonprofit arenas.
Learn MoreThe shortage of immigration judges is one of the major problems affecting the U.S. immigration system. Over the past decade, Congress has increased immigration enforcement funding exponentially, yet has not provided the immigration courts with the funding to respond, creating a major backlog that threatens the integrity of the immigration justice system.
See the ReportThis guide gives practical advice to educators and school support staff that can inform their actions and be shared with immigrant families.
Get the GuideSystematic review suggests immigrant advantage for emotional and sexual abuse but higher rates of physical neglect and lack of supervision.
This study compares the social-ecological contexts of unauthorized immigrant families and their U.S.-born children to similarly low-income, urban, Latino immigrant families to identify differences arising from the parents’ legal status and interactions with the immigration system.
Learn MoreIn the context of increasing numbers of unaccompanied children arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border in the summer of 2014, this report describes the need for post-release services for certain unaccompanied immigrant children.
Access ResourceBoth unaccompanied alien children and citizen children whose parents are undocumented suffer without legal representation. This article examines their plight without legal advocacy. (Link provides abstract only without institutional or paid access.)
Read the AbstractThis report explores the impacts of parental deportation on children, the health and social service gaps of children with detained parents, and the changes caused by US immigration enforcement in the composition of undocumented populations.
Read the ReportThis guide provides information about the tens of thousands of children who have fled their homes in Central America and arrived at our southern border. It seeks to explain the basics about who these children are, what happens to them when they arrive in the U.S., laws in place to help them, and proposed legislation to help these children.
Read MoreThis brief highlights the findings from a collaboration between the University of Houston and the University of Texas at Austin that examined the experiences of 40 undocumented Latino parents to better understand their experiences of living “without papers” in Texas.
Read Full BriefThis toolkit provides a basic overview of the dynamics of the U.S. immigration system as it impacts children and families in the child welfare system. The toolkit includes practical appendices with resources for accessing vital documents, facilitating communication between child welfare and immigration legal counsel, and a summary of immigration relief options applicable to youth in care.
Get the ToolkitIn this position statement, the CICW acknowledges its support for the Obama administration’s expanded deferred action programs and outlines the ways in which expanded deferred action can promote the well-being of children in immigrant families.
Read the StatementThis report explores the patterns of Central American migration from 2011 to 2014, analyzes the related policy challenges, and provides recommendations of appropriate U.S. and regional policy responses.
Read Full ReportThis report highlights the potential of President Obama’s proposed Deferred Action to Parents of American Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents program (DAPA) to promote the physical, emotional, and economic well-being of U.S. citizen children of undocumented immigrant parents.
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This brief focuses on language access policies. Research suggests that when child welfare-system involved families do not have access to linguistically appropriate services, successful completion of their case plan is impeded. Language access policies address this issue by outlining agency protocol to ensure that limited English proficient (LEP) families receive appropriate interpretation and translation services.
Read the BriefThis brief focuses on policies that address immigration relief options for undocumented immigrant youth involved with the child welfare system. Undocumented youth face barriers in accessing services, including educational and employment opportunities, that can have long-term negative impacts on their well-being. Recognizing the challenges that undocumented youth experience in accessing services and opportunities, the policies in this category aim to reduce these barriers by ensuring that child welfare practitioners are aware of available opportunities for youth to gain legal status. The policies discussed throughout this brief both provide staff with an overview of immigration relief options and offer guidance to staff on how they can provide assistance throughout the application process.
Read the BriefThis brief focuses on issues related to foster care funding for immigrant youth in care. Undocumented immigrant youth are typically not eligible for federal foster care funding, which may pose challenges for child welfare practitioners. In response to these challenges, the policies in this brief provide guidance to child welfare agency staff on obtaining foster care funds for immigrant youth. Included are policies that outline the procedure for applying for Permanent Residence Under Color of Law (PRUCOL) for undocumented minors. PRUCOL is not an immigration relief option, but rather a process through which undocumented children and youth become eligible for federal foster care funding.
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