Resources

Recent Trump Administration Policies that Impact Health Coverage and Care for Immigrant Families

By | Federal Policy, Law & Policy, Law/Policy Highlight

Recent Trump Administration Policies that Impact Health Coverage and Care for Immigrant Families

Drishti Pillai and Samantha Artiga, Kaiser Family Foundation (October 8, 2025)

This issue brief examines Trump administration and Congressional actions that restrict immigrants’ access to health coverage and care, analyzing how these changes will likely increase uninsured rates, reduce healthcare access, and negatively impact long-term health outcomes and economic productivity.

Making ‘Best interest’ visible: the role of frontline staff in the care of unaccompanied children

By | Foster Care, Immigrant Youth, Immigration Relief, Research, Research Highlight, Unaccompanied Minors, Unaccompanied Minors Research

Making ‘Best interest’ visible: the role of frontline staff in the care of unaccompanied children

Benjamin Roth, John Doering-White, Breanne Grace, Jessica H. Darrow, Aimee Herring, and Stefan Liew; Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies (August 25, 2025)

This study analyzes how ORR shelter staff interpret and implement “best interest” standards for unaccompanied children, finding that narrow compliance measures may obscure children’s lived experiences and affect their perceived deservingness of legal relief in immigration court.

All in for a Thriving Connecticut: Opportunities to Support Upward Mobility for the State’s Immigrant Families

By | Immigrant Families Research, Language Issues, Research, Research Highlight

All in for a Thriving Connecticut: Opportunities to Support Upward Mobility for the State’s Immigrant Families

Margie McHugh, Julia Gelatt, Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh, Katherine Habben, Jacob Hofstetter and Julie Sugarman; Migration Policy Institute (September 2025)

This report examines how Connecticut’s state policies and services can better support immigrant integration and upward mobility, analyzing eight key areas including education, housing, healthcare, and workforce development based on interviews with state and local stakeholders.

Trump revives family separations amid drive to deport millions: ‘A tactic to punish’

By | In the News

Trump revives family separations amid drive to deport millions: ‘A tactic to punish’

Maanvi Singh, The Guardian (October 2, 2025)

The Trump administration has reportedly resumed family separations as a coercion tactic against immigrants and asylum seekers, with officials allegedly retaliating against those challenging deportation by misclassifying separated children as unaccompanied minors.

Trump administration offering some unaccompanied migrant children $2,500 to self-deport, according to memo

By | In the News

Trump administration offering some unaccompanied migrant children $2,500 to self-deport, according to memo

Didi Martinez, Laura Strickler and Julia Ainsley, NBC News (October 3, 2025)

The federal government is offering unaccompanied migrant children aged 14 and older $2,500 to voluntarily return or “self deport” to their home countries, raising concerns among advocates.

Chicago ICE raids, National Guard troops prompt new lesson plans: ‘Know your rights’

By | In the News

Chicago ICE raids, National Guard troops prompt new lesson plans: ‘Know your rights’

Heather Schlitz, Reuters (October 10, 2025)

Educators in Chicago are responding to increased federal immigration enforcement through various means, including protests, “know your rights” materials, and advocacy for remote learning options to help students without legal status avoid detention risks.

Newsom signs controversial bill letting relatives care for kids if parents are deported

By | In the News

Newsom signs controversial bill letting relatives care for kids if parents are deported

Jeanne Kuang, Cal Matters (October 13, 2025)

CA governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that expands caregiving options for children whose parents face deportation by allowing relatives to become guardians and enabling parents to designate temporary legal guardians. It also prohibits daycare providers from collecting immigration information.

Resources to Help Prevent Child Labor Exploitation

By | Immigrant Youth, Practice, Safety, Social Workers, Unaccompanied Minors

Resources to Help Prevent Child Labor Exploitation

Kids in Need of Defense & Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights (2025)

These resources are designed to address/prevent child labor exploitation:

  1. Connect, Assess, Respond, and Educate (C.A.R.E.): A Toolkit for Professionals Serving Unaccompanied Children Experiencing Labor Exploitation: This resource can help professionals working with unaccompanied minors to identify and address child labor exploitation.
  2. LEPP Videos: These videos, available in English and Spanish, outline the rights of youth workers, how to spot labor exploitation, and what to do in cases of suspected labor exploitation.
  3. LEPP Flyer: This flyer, available in 16 languages, mirrors the information in LEPP’s first animated video, titled “Want to work? You have rights!”
  4. “Where to find help” webpage: Available in English and Spanish, this webpage provides resources on where to find help if a young person suspects they are experiencing labor exploitation, job training resources, hotline information, and other resources.

Brief: An Examination of Immigration Status and Its Implications for Transition-Age Youth in the Child Welfare System

By | Child Welfare System Research, Foster Care, Immigrant Youth, Research, Research Highlight

Brief: An Examination of Immigration Status and Its Implications for Transition-Age Youth in the Child Welfare System

Anthony Gómez, Kristina K. Lovato, Andrea Lane Eastman, and Mark E. Courtney, Transition-Age Youth Research & Evaluation Hub (May 29, 2025)

This brief summarizes the findings and key recommendations from a study examining immigration status documentation in California’s child welfare records for transition-age youth in foster care.

Everyday Futures: Language as Survival for Indigenous Youth in Diaspora

By | Immigrant Youth, Language Issues, Research, Research Highlight, Unaccompanied Minors Research

Everyday Futures: Language as Survival for Indigenous Youth in Diaspora

Stephanie L. Canizales and Brendan H. O’Connor, Stanford University Press (August 2025)

This book examines language socialization experiences of Maya-speaking Guatemalan youth in Los Angeles, exploring how language affects their integration and sense of belonging in both Guatemalan and American communities.

Trump’s Racist Attacks Against TPS Will Rip Apart Families, Harm Local Economies, and Endanger Thousands

By | Federal Policy, Immigration Relief, Law & Policy, Law/Policy Highlight

Trump’s Racist Attacks Against TPS Will Rip Apart Families, Harm Local Economies, and Endanger Thousands

Lulit Shewan, CLASP (September 8, 2025)

This brief explores the Trump administration’s efforts to curtail Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the negative implications for TPS holders and their children and families.

From “Them” to “Ours”: Framing Strategies for Talking about Immigrant Youth

By | Culture: Issues & Competencies, Immigration Enforcement, Practice, Practice Highlight, Social Workers

From “Them” to “Ours”: Framing Strategies for Talking about Immigrant Youth

Frameworks Institute (July 2025)

This framing brief provides research-based tools and narratives to help advocates build public support for immigrant youth by challenging divisive messaging and fostering a sense of shared belonging and community investment in their wellbeing.

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