Advancing the Welfare of Immigrant Children in the U.S

The Status of Immigrant Children: One quarter of all children in the U.S. today are children of immigrants who encounter unique challenges to well-being. Children whose parents are detained or deported experience trauma and emotional stress and are at risk of unnecessarily entering the child welfare system. Unprecedented numbers of unaccompanied migrant children arriving to the U.S. in recent years have become lost in the federal child welfare system without addressing their physical and mental health needs. Once children in immigrant families come to the attention of the child welfare system, they face considerable barriers to achieving positive outcomes. Empirical knowledge surrounding the development and welfare of immigrant children as they pass through government systems has grown considerably over the past decade, but many questions remain.

Effects of the Current Political Climate: Recent immigration actions and policies have brought renewed attention and advocacy efforts aimed at achieving equality and justice for these most vulnerable children. During the Trump administration, the scope of enforcement priorities that previously safeguarded many parents and long-time residents whose only violation was living in the country without documentation now target a much larger group of immigrants for deportation. Immigration raids are terrorizing cities and communities across the country and throughout New Mexico. The dire consequences will be felt by the child welfare system and by communities and families, where children stand to lose the most. With this volatile and unpredictable administration, policies and protections for children of immigrants implemented over the past decade are at risk of repeal.

This round table session will review the state of knowledge on the development and welfare of immigrant children in the U.S., family stressors and risks for child welfare involvement, and the impact of immigration policies on child-wellbeing. Presenters will foster dialogue on gaps in knowledge, barriers to achieving justice, and priorities for research and advocacy with immigrant children and families. Presenters will review the state of research on: • Immigrant child health, development, and access to services • Issues that impede positive outcomes for unaccompanied minor children who arrive to and resettle in the U.S. • Stressors on immigrant families that place them at risk for child welfare system involvement • Impact of immigration detention policies and practices on immigrant children • Challenges to immigrant children and families who come to the attention of the public child welfare system. The goal is to stimulate conversation that will establish priorities for ongoing research and advocacy that advances social justice for children in immigrant families.