Immigrants & Child Welfare

Children

Applying the ICE Parental Interests Directive to Child Welfare Cases

ABA Center on Children and the Law & Immigrant Legal Resource Center

In 2013, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a Parental Interests Directive to provide federal guidelines regarding immigration enforcement against parents and legal guardians.

Children

State Courts’ Roles in Protecting Immigrant Children

Claire Chiamulera

State courts play a key role deciding which unaccompanied immigrant children are eligible for legal protection.

Family

Protecting Unaccompanied Immigrant Children

Claire Chiamulera

As the numbers of unaccompanied immigrant children arriving in the U.S. grows, legal representation is critical to help them navigate their legal options.

Many Uninsured Children Live in Immigrant Families

More than two-thirds of uninsured children with immigrant parents are U.S. citizens, according to a new analysis.

Keeping Immigrant Families in the Child Protection System Together

Ann Park

Recent developments have highlighted issues immigrant families face in the child welfare system. This article discusses legislation enacted in California that addresses some of these questions, as well as recent federal policy that helps safeguard the parental rights of undocumented immigrants involved in federal immigration enforcement proceedings.

Children

Meeting the Citizenship and Immigration Needs of Foster Children

Pamela Kemp Parker

Several legal avenues are available to protect immigrant children who experience maltreatment. This article walks advocates through the options and empowers lawyers to help these vulnerable youth.

Children

An Advocate’s Guide to Protecting Unaccompanied Minors

Priya Konings

The fate of unaccompanied immigrant minors is largely determined by whether an attorney will represent them and serve as their advocate. Learn how advocates can help and legal remedies to protect these children.

The Impact of ASFA on Immigrant Children in the Child Welfare System

Yali Lincroft and Bill Bettencourt

The federal Adoption and Safe Families Act interacts with aspects of U.S. immigration law in ways that affect decisions for immigrant families. This article explores its effects and shares improvements and practice tips.

Children

Immigration Status Matters to Children

Deborah Lee

Undocumented immigrants are parents too. That is the simple yet critical message of Hirokazu Yoshikawa’s recent Immigrants Raising Citizens.

The Road to Permanent Resident Status for Undocumented Foster Children--Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

Pamela Kemp Parker

Most undocumented foster children who cannot be reunified with their families can become permanent residents by obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).

Improving Protections for Children after Immigration Raids

Claire S. Chiamulera

In communities throughout the country, undocumented immigrants are being seized during workplace raids by federal law enforcement. The raids happen suddenly and often ignore that many of those detained are parents.