Oversight of the Care of Unaccompanied Alien Children
United States Senate, Permanent Subcommittee of Investigations, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (August 15, 2018)
This report documents findings related to the oversight of federal government programs designed to care for unaccompanied children and ensure they are not trafficked or abused The subcommittee has focused on weaknesses in the care of unaccompanied children and placement with sponsors.
Fact Sheet on Family Separation
CLINIC (August 9, 2018)
This fact sheet describes the process by which the Trump Administration carried out family separation and how the related federal court ruling Ms. L v. ICE addresses family separation.
Separated Children Resources Website
Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health (July 2018)
The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health has developed a website with resources to support families who have been separated during their time of need. Two types of resources are available: resources for children who have been separated from their parents and resources for caregivers and social service providers working to support these children and their families.
Research and Policy Perspectives on Separating (and Reconnecting) Children and Parents: Implications for Families on the Border
Zero to Thrive, University of Michigan Center for Human Growth & Development (July 2018)
The report highlights research evidence on the science of early childhood development, stress and trauma, and implications of family separation and reunions for very young children.
Legal Referrals for Asylum Seeking Families
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (August 2018)
ASAP has created a spreadsheet of Legal Referrals for Asylum-Seeking Families, which lists (1) hundreds of private immigration attorneys in many states and (2) information on pro se help desks and other limited scope representation efforts in various cities. Additional resources are available here.
The Science is Clear: Separating Families has Long-term Damaging Psychological and Health Consequences for Children, Families, and Communities
Society for Research in Child Development (June 20, 2018)
This Statement of Evidence highlights research and data on the damaging effects of family separation on children, families, and communities.
Uncovering the Government’s Internal Family Separation Policies, Guidance, and Data
American Immigration Council (June 27, 2018)
The American Immigration Council and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP filed a complaint on June 27, 2018 challenging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) failure to response to FOIA requests compelling government agencies to produce documents regarding family separation policies, guidance, and data.
Developing Sustainable Repatriation and Reintegration Programs for Children and Families Separated by Borders
Elaine Weisman, LGSW/MPH and Fecility Sackville Northcott, PhD; International Social Service-USA & the Center on Immigration and Child Welfare (July 2018)
This CICW practice brief provides recommendations about best practices for ensuring that children and/or their caregivers facing deportation are provided with necessary pre-departure and reintegration services to support safe and sustainable return.
For Vulnerable Immigrant Children, A Longstanding Path to Protection Narrows
Austin Rose, Migration Policy Institute (July 25, 2018)
Nearly 210,000 unaccompanied immigrant children were detained at the U.S.-Mexico border between fiscal years (FY) 2014 and 2017, the majority coming from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras…This article provides an overview of the SIJ program and its growth as a pathway to protection for immigrant children. Drawing on a series of interviews with immigrant youth, adult sponsors, attorneys, and judges, it also identifies limitations on access to SIJ.
