Since 2014, the U.S. has experienced a mass migration of youth/families from the Northern Triangle of Central America: Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador who seek refuge due to widespread poverty, violence, U.S-involved political instability, and natural disasters. This phenomenon has been marked by greater U.S. immigration enforcement, a reduction of legal relief options, restrictions on public benefits, and the weakening of protective policies for Latinx immigrant families. Many transitional age youth (TAY) ages 18-21, who experience a forced family separation during migration, experience trauma related to pre-, peri-, and post-migration and resettlement which increases vulnerability to public child welfare and other systems involvement. Fears around legal status may also result in TAY forgoing any public benefits and supportive services. This developmental transition, coupled with legal vulnerability, and restrictive immigration policies pose challenges for unaccompanied TAY in securing stable housing, employment, economic opportunities, and permanency.  

In partnership with Casey Family Programs, this study will examine the mental health and social service needs of unaccompanied transitional age immigrant youth (TAY) ages 18-24 years old, who were forcibly separated from their families and are navigating the transition from childhood to adulthood (a “protected” status to undocumented and unprotected) as they become undocumented adults. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with child welfare involved TAY, public child welfare workers and social service providers to gain insight into these youth’s lived experiences, barriers, and supports in accessing social services. This study aims to highlight these youths’ strengths and lived experiences while working towards policy and practice-based interventions that are equity-informed, culturally responsive, and aimed at reducing entry into the foster care and other systems involvement.