Why We Don’t Immediately Send the Border Kids Back
National Journal (July 8, 2014)
A 2008 law is one big factor in the child-migrant crisis. One of the architects of the measure explains why it was needed.
Read the ArticleChild migrants: Why some in GOP say Obama plan ignores roots of crisis
The Christian Science Monitor (July 8, 2014)
Key Republicans are critical of Obama’s plans and request of emergency funds for addressing wave of child migrants. Republicans believe Obama’s plans are not addressing the root of the problem.
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Arizona Lawmaker Aims to Send Border-Crossing Children Home Faster
The Daily Signal (July 7, 2014)
This article discusses a bill proposed by an Arizona representative that would allow Border Patrol to follow the same guidelines in place for Mexican and Canadian immigrants; this guideline would include screening and deportation of Central American Immigrants, instead of allowing them a hearing.
Read the ArticleThe US Re-Militarization of Central America and Mexico
Truthout (July 4, 2014)
Human Rights organizations from Central America, Mexico, and the United States write President Obama a letter stating that U.S. policies that promote militarization have resulted in violent crime and and human rights abuses against communities and have all been done in the name of the “war on drugs”.
Read the ArticleWhen Child Migrants Cross The Border, What Next Awaits Them?
NPR (July 3, 2014)
Robert Siegel speaks with Dana Leigh Marks, the president of the National Association of Immigration Judges, about the legal process facing unaccompanied children who cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
Read the ArticleFOCUS: Special Issue on Migration and Child Welfare
Foster Family-based Treatment Association (Summer 2014)
This special issue of FOCUS brings together experts from several organizations to address key challenges and provide resources and recommendations to the field. CICW contributed a number of articles, including an introduction to the special issue, perspectives on transnational family reunification and kinship care from “across the border,” and evidence-based culturally responsive assessments and treatments for Latino immigrant families. In addition, Migration and Refugee Services of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops discusses meeting the unique needs of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children through its specialized foster care programs and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service shares lessons learned regarding successful transnational family reunification.
Read the full textNo Childhood Here: Why Central American Children are Fleeing Their Homes
Elizabeth Kennedy, American Immigration Council (July 2014)
This report explores the causes of child migration and the effects of child deportation, focusing on the following questions: What drives these children to flee their homes? What causes their parents to put them and their life’s savings in the hands of smugglers? What happens if they fail to reach the U.S.?
Read Intro & Summary Read Full ReportDHS: Violence, poverty, is driving children to flee Central America to U.S.
Pew Research Center (July 1, 2014)
With the number of children being caught at the border doubling in less than a year, a study was done in order to find why children are immigrating to the US. Violence and poverty are found to be the main causes.
Read the ArticleLanguage Barriers Pose Challenges For Mayan Migrant Children
NPR (July 1, 2014)
This article discusses the difficulties experienced by immigrant children who emigrated from Central America and do not speak Spanish. The problem lies in the fact that it is assumed that the primary language spoken by these children is Spanish, when in fact, they speak Mayan languages that are unknown to many and, therefore, difficult to translate.
Read the ArticleLittle-known Law Allows Abused Immigrant Children to Stay in the U.S.
Rafael Romo, CNN (June 30, 2014)
This article emphasizes that Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented minors who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The author discusses the challenges that many unaccompanied minors face in obtaining SIJS.
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