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Unaccompanied children seeking safe haven: Providing care and supporting well-being of a vulnerable population

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  • Linton, Julie M.
  • Kennedy, Elizabeth
  • Shapiro, Alan
  • Griffin, Marsha

Abstract

As violence, inequity and poverty pervade El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, the number of children, family units and adults seeking refuge in the United States (US) continues to increase. Upon apprehension by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents (ICE), children enter a labyrinthine immigration system that can be further traumatizing and threatening to their health and well-being. The purpose of this article is to describe the impact of current and evolving immigration policy on the health of unaccompanied children, to delineate barriers to care and challenges they face prior to gaining legal relief, and to suggest policy recommendations that support health and safety for them from the point of apprehension to and through achieving legal status. By understanding the four unique phases of the immigration journey: pre-migration, migration, detention, and post-release, social service providers caring for newly arrived unaccompanied children can offer a trauma-informed approach that considers children's complex medical, psychosocial, educational, and legal needs. Case-based examples elucidate the role of social service providers at each phase of the journey. One community-based model is described in depth as an illustration of how cross-sector partnerships can be incorporated in an effort to mitigate stress and build resilience among this vulnerable population.

Suggested Citation

  • Linton, Julie M. & Kennedy, Elizabeth & Shapiro, Alan & Griffin, Marsha, 2018. "Unaccompanied children seeking safe haven: Providing care and supporting well-being of a vulnerable population," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 122-132.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:92:y:2018:i:c:p:122-132
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.03.043
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dankwa-Mullan, I. & Ṕerez-Stable, E.J., 2016. "Addressing health disparities is a place-based issue," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(4), pages 637-639.
    2. Crea, Thomas M. & Lopez, Anayeli & Taylor, Theresa & Underwood, Dawnya, 2017. "Unaccompanied migrant children in the United States: Predictors of placement stability in long term foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 93-99.
    3. Akin, Becci A. & Strolin-Goltzman, Jessica & Collins-Camargo, Crystal, 2017. "Successes and challenges in developing trauma-informed child welfare systems: A real-world case study of exploration and initial implementation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 42-52.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maryam Rafieifar & Miriam Potocky & Hui Huang & Richard L. Beaulaurier & Sloan Bruan Lorenzini, 2023. "Experiences of Undocumented Parents Reuniting with Children Who Entered the United States as Unaccompanied Minors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Jaime La Charite & Elizabeth W. Tucker & Julia Rosenberg & Janine Young & Nikita Gupta & Katherine Hoops, 2023. "Understanding the Healthcare Needs of Immigrant Children Currently and Previously in Government Custody: A Narrative," Laws, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, February.
    3. Natalie Wichelt & Kenny Torres & Gabriela de la Vega & Julie M. Linton & Kimberly Montez, 2022. "Legal Relief for Children in Immigrant Families: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-12, April.

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