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Center on Immigration & Child Welfare

Expelled from U.S. at night, migrant families weigh next steps

By | In the News

Expelled from U.S. at night, migrant families weigh next steps

Associated Press (March 28, 2021)

Due to pandemic constraints, immigrants are being expelled from the United States into the city of Reynosa, Mexico, in the middle of the night, leaving many families left to wonder what to do. Further pandemic restrictions mean that parents often make the painful decision to send their children across the border alone as children under 7 are currently allowed to pursue asylum. One mother from Guatemala discussed sending her son across the border alone, stating simply, “We’re in God’s hands.”

Working with Immigrant Children and Families Involved in the State Child Welfare System: The Child Welfare Agency’s Role

By | Opportunities

Working with Immigrant Children and Families Involved in the State Child Welfare System: The Child Welfare Agency’s Role 

ABA – Children’s Immigration Law Academy (April 1, 2021) 

Designed for attorneys who represent child welfare agencies or the state, this webinar will communicate how to work with immigrant families and children currently involved in foster care. A panel of attorneys working with child welfare agencies will address specific issues relevant to this topic area, including the issues of permanency planning for this group.  

From Local to Federal – Moving Immigration Policy in Our Communities

By | Opportunities

From Local to Federal – Moving Immigration Policy in Our Communities 

NIJC (April 6, 2021) 

In their monthly series focusing on providing updates on current policy and action items, this webinar will present how Illinois’ Welcoming City Ordinance and New Way Forward Act represent inventive immigration policies that counteract racial oppression and detention, ensuring due process and the rights of immigrant communities.  

Encuentro: Defending Migrant Rights Across the Americas

By | Opportunities

Encuentro: Defending Migrant Rights Across the Americas  

USC Equity Research Institute (April 13, 2021)

This virtual conference will examine the contemporary immigration policies of South America and how the United States may create its own innovative policy that centers upon migrant access to legal status and ensure their right to live a dignified life.  

Promoting Permanency during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Use of Remote Assessments in Permanency Planning

By | Opportunities

Promoting Permanency during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Use of Remote Assessments in Permanency Planning 

International Social Service USA (April 14, 2021) 

Open to both agencies and individuals involved in child welfare-related planning and assessment, this training will provide guidance on best practices that protect staff and clients in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and adapting services to virtual work with families. Finally, the legal and ethical implications of doing virtual assessment and what this means for practice going forward will be discussed.

Building Bridges for Every Child: Reception, Care and Services to Support Unaccompanied Children in the United States

By | Child Well-Being, Detention, Family Separation, Immigrant Youth, Immigration Enforcement, Transnational Resources, Unaccompanied Minors

Building Bridges for Every Child: Reception, Care and Services to Support Unaccompanied Children in the United States

UNICEF (February 2021) 

This report from UNICEF provides a roadmap of practice in the humane reception of unaccompanied children. Utilizing examples from both the United States and abroad, it provides eight recommendations that span the work of international child rights, domestic child welfare, and immigration to create an environment that functions in the best interest of children.

Connecting Cross-Border Families

By | Family Separation, Foster Care, Highlighted Resources, Legal/Law, Practice, Practice Highlight, Social Workers, Topics, Transnational Resources, Unaccompanied Minors

Connecting Cross-Border Families 

Child Welfare Information Gateway (November 13, 2020) 

In this podcast, Elaine Weisman of the ISS-USA discusses topics relating to cross-border cases, including resources for caseworkers seeking to reunify families separated at the border and how current laws and policies can impact agencies working across borders. 

How to Support Immigrant Students and Families: Strategies for Schools and Early Childhood Programs

By | Child Well-Being, Culture: Issues & Competencies, Early Childhood, Highlighted Resources, Immigrant Youth, Practice, Practice Highlight, Topics, Youth & Families

How to Support Immigrant Students and Families: Strategies for Schools and Early Childhood Programs 

¡Colorín Colorado! (December 2018) 

This guide provides an exhaustive list of over 50 strategies for educators in schools and early childhood programs to establish responsive environments for immigrant children and their families. Each strategy covers why it is important, how to get started, recommended resources and videos, and examples from the field. 

Remedying the Separation of Families at the U.S. Mexico Border

By | Child Well-Being, Deportation, Family Separation, Federal Policy, Highlighted Resources, Immigrant Youth, Law & Policy, Law/Policy Highlight, Legal/Law, Topics

Remedying the Separation of Families at the U.S. Mexico Border 

Ann Garcia, CLINIC (December 1, 2020) 

This transition paper discusses the impact of the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy on immigrant families separated at the border. It then offers five policy recommendations that can be undertaken in the first 100 days of the Biden administration. 

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