Statement on the Welfare of 
Unaccompanied Immigrant
Children.
Over 60,000 children, unaccompanied by parents or other guardians, have been apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security after crossing the U.S. southern border this year alone. This humanitarian crisis has caused waves of concern regarding these children’s care while in federal custody; the timely processing of their legal cases based on their best interests; and the adequate screening, preparation, support, and follow up of these children’s placements with family members in U.S. communities.
Although the number of children in U.S. custody has decreased somewhat, arrivals remain much higher than in previous years and are expected to continue. The MCWNN is gravely concerned regarding the welfare of these children. Earlier this summer, we created a special webpage devoted to this issue.
This MCWNN Statement on the Welfare of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children frames our concerns within the child welfare concepts of safety, permanence, and well-being. In addition to providing broad recommendations, we also support and promote the statements issued by our member agencies and colleagues (such as First Focus, American Bar Association, and Immigrant Legal Resource Center) that address specific legislative and other remedies.
The Migration and Child Welfare National Networkis a free peer membership organization that promotes the welfare of immigrant children and families through practice, policy, and research. We are housed at the Jane Adams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Resources available at the MCWNN website include sample state policies from child welfare agencies, social worker toolkits, and a timely eNews service on the intersection of immigration and child welfare issues.
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