Understanding Child Detention in the U.S.

Detention
Immigrant Youth
Publication Date

While U.S. immigration laws provide certain special protections to children migrating without a parent or legal guardian on account of their vulnerabilities, these laws and policies fall short of both domestic and international child welfare principles. Those impacted by and involved with U.S. systems for responding to child migrants have known for years that they do not meet the needs of most children. Drawing on frameworks and expertise advanced by directly impacted youth, child welfare advocates, immigrant rights groups, and scholars, as well as the examples of other countries, we developed this resource to highlight how the United States can shift its approach to child migration. This resource aims to demonstrate that a different approach to how the United States welcomes migrant children, particularly as relates to their time in government custody/detention, is not just possible but necessary.