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Unaccompanied Minors Research

Oct 31
0

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.

Sep 30
0

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.

Jun 29
0

Understanding the Needs of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Separated from their Parents during the “Zero Tolerance” Policy in the US: A Systematic Review of the Literature

By | Child Well-Being, Family Separation, Immigrant Youth, Immigration Enforcement, Research, Research Highlight, Unaccompanied Minors, Unaccompanied Minors Research

Understanding the Needs of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Separated from their Parents during the “Zero Tolerance” Policy in the US: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Kristina Lovato, Daniel Hieu Thuan Bui, & Michelle Zaragoza; Children & Youth Services Review (June 2025)

This systematic review highlights mental health and social service outcomes of children forcibly separated from their parents during and following the Zero Tolerance Policy and examines barriers and facilitators in accessing social services upon their release from US detention facilities.

Feb 02
0

Care under pressure: Policy contradictions of speedy release, safety, and placement suitability in ORR-contracted programs for unaccompanied migrant children

By | Child Well-Being, Foster Care, Immigrant Youth, Research, Research Highlight, Unaccompanied Minors, Unaccompanied Minors Research

Care under pressure: Policy contradictions of speedy release, safety, and placement suitability in ORR-contracted programs for unaccompanied migrant children

John Doering-White, Jessica Darrow, Breanne Grace, Benjamin Roth, Aimee Herring, & Stefan Liew; Children & Youth Services Review (February 2025)

This article explores the perspectives of 65 human service workers in ORR-contracted programs across four states on how they understand the policies that shape care for unaccompanied children and the challenges that exist.

Dec 01
0

Unaccompanied Children: Efforts by the Office of Refugee Resettlement to Address GAO Recommendations

By | Child Well-Being, Foster Care, Immigrant Youth, Research, Research Highlight, Unaccompanied Minors, Unaccompanied Minors Research

Unaccompanied Children: Efforts by the Office of Refugee Resettlement to Address GAO Recommendations

U.S. Government Accountability Office (November 19, 2024)

This report details the efforts of ORR to address recommendations related to its role in caring for unaccompanied children, which were identified in recent GAO reports.

Dec 01
0

From Congregate to Community-Based Care: Strengthening Reunification and Support of Unaccompanied Children

By | Child Well-Being, Detention, Foster Care, Immigrant Youth, Language Issues, Research, Trauma, Unaccompanied Minors, Unaccompanied Minors Research

From Congregate to Community-Based Care: Strengthening Reunification and Support of Unaccompanied Children

Lauren Heidbrink, Women’s Refugee Commission (October 30, 2024)

This report and advocacy brief detail the findings of a study examining family reunification policies and practices for unaccompanied children in federal custody and provide recommendations related to the care environment, ORR family finding and placement procedures, and follow-up supports for reunited families.

Oct 31
0

Handcuffed, Pushed, and Afraid: immigrant children share terrifying experiences while in Border Patrol custody

By | Detention, Immigrant Youth, Immigration Enforcement, Research, Safety, Trauma, Unaccompanied Minors, Unaccompanied Minors Research

Handcuffed, Pushed, and Afraid: Immigrant children share terrifying experiences while in Border Patrol custody

Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project (September 2024)

This report summarizes hundreds of complaints by unaccompanied immigrant children of physical and verbal abuse and lack of hygiene products and medical care while in U.S. Border Patrol custody.

Oct 27
0

Insights for clinical providers and community leaders: Unaccompanied immigrant children’s mental health includes caregiver support.

By | Child Well-Being, Immigrant Youth, Research, Research Highlight, Unaccompanied Minors, Unaccompanied Minors Research

Insights for clinical providers and community leaders: Unaccompanied immigrant children’s mental health includes caregiver support

Johanna Creswell Báez et al., Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal (September 6, 2024)

This study interviewed UCs, their caregivers, healthcare professionals, mental health providers, and community leaders in Houston, Texas to understand the lived experience and mental health needs of UCs and their caregivers.

Sep 29
0

Kids in Care: Unaccompanied Children in Federal Government Custody

By | Child Well-Being, Detention, Foster Care, Immigrant Youth, Language Issues, Research, Safety, Trauma, Unaccompanied Minors, Unaccompanied Minors Research

Kids in Care: Unaccompanied Children in Federal Government Custody

Lauren Heidbrink & Sarah Diaz, Loyola University Chicago (September 2024)

This report details findings and recommendations from an 18-month interdisciplinary study that explored the conditions of care for unaccompanied children in federal custody.

Jul 30
0

Working together: Including children in research on violence against children

By | Child Well-Being, Research, Safety, Trauma, Unaccompanied Minors Research

Working together: Including children in research on violence against children. A Resource Pack for Research Practitioners

Lucy Jamieson, Clare Feinstein, Alana Kapell and Nicole Dulieu; End Violence Partnership Knowledge Network, End Violence Lab and Save the Children (April 2021)

This comprehensive resource pack reviews key considerations and approaches for including children in research initiatives, ensuring that children’s rights are respected and that they are engaged as partners in the research process.

 

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