This 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 MoreBoth 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 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 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 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.
Read the BriefThis study analyzes newly available data, showing that the massive increase in unaccompanied alien children (UACs) began before DACA was even announced in June 2012.
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