(WITHDRAWN) Service Access for Unaccounted for Migrant Workers As Mothers and Their Undocumented Children with Precarious Status in Taiwan

Background and Purpose:

“Unaccounted for migrant workers (UMWs),” who leave their placement of employment and whose whereabouts are unknown, make up a vulnerable population in Taiwan. Female UMWs, in particular, are at high risk when being pregnant, so do their children, who are often undocumented or stateless according to Taiwan’s Nationality Act. Living with precarious legal status limits the children’s rights to development and exposes them to unsafe caring environments. However, services for UMWs as mothers and their undocumented children are underdeveloped in Taiwan, especially when they are in need of health care and social services. Thus, this study aims to explore the accessibility of health care and social services for UMWs as mothers and their children from perspectives of multiple professionals relevant to the issue of migrant workers and undocumented children.

Methods:

This study is based-on qualitative research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with 7 stakeholders of the issue of UMWs and undocumented children, including social workers from a child placement, a UMW shelter, and a hospital, administrators from the local government, and brigade from the national immigration agency in Taiwan. Interviews explored study participants’ perceptions and experiences working with UMWs as mothers and their undocumented/stateless children on issues of (1) service needs of UMWs during pregnancy and after delivery, (2) precarious status of undocumented children in the placement, and (3) service access to future planning (e.g., employment, deportation, adoption). Data were transcribed and coded thematically, guided by the principles of an inductive approach.

Results:

Findings reveal that because of their illegal status and fear of being found and deported, pregnant UMWs often choose not to receive prenatal care and are likely to have a high-risk pregnancy. Limited health care experiences are also due to financial difficulties because UMWs’ work permits are revoked and they are without Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage. Additionally, some mothers become stressed when making a living and caring for their baby without being found. In order for their undocumented children to receive good care, many UMW mothers would place their children in a special institution. However, being separated from mothers and without proper stimulation and hygiene in the placement, undocumented children are often found to have developmental and speech delay and become ill easily. The well-being of these children is also affected by their permanency options: deportation or adoption.

Conclusions and Implications:

The present study highlights the vulnerability of UMWs as mothers and their undocumented children in Taiwan. Currently, after being placed, undocumented children are able to receive a temporary residency permit which is attached to social welfare, such as NHI coverage and education. However, the existing health and social services for UMWs are still insufficient. Their rights as a human in a foreign country need to be preserved through interdisciplinary cooperation between sectors of social services, child welfare, hospitals, and the government. Further transnational cooperation is necessary to ensure the well-being and permanency of undocumented children, after being placed, adopted, or deported to the country of origin.