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

Beginning in July 2017, the Trump Administration implemented a policy of forcibly separating undocumented immigrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, causing widespread harm to the safety and wellbeing of immigrant children and families. This systematic review addresses the gap in the literature regarding the impact of mental health and social service outcomes of children who were 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. This review includes 13 studies from 2018 to 2023. Results showed that following a forced family separation under this policy, youth experienced: 1) psychosocial stressors and negative mental health outcomes; (2) barriers and facilitators to receiving post-release services and care, and (3) factors affecting UC integration and coping. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring service provision to address the psychosocial and mental stressors of this population, addressing barriers to care, and supporting youth’s integration and adjustment through multidisciplinary and community collaboration. This review highlights the need for future research to explore the psychosocial needs of unaccompanied minors who experienced a forced family separation due to restrictive immigration policy. Keywords: immigration policy, Zero Tolerance Policy, forced family separation, immigrant child and family wellbeing, unaccompanied children.