America's Forgotten Children

"Few groups in the United States are more vulnerable than refugee children, particularly unaccompanied minors. Many are sent here by parents or relatives to escape impossible situations in their home countries, including violence, trafficking, poverty, natural disasters, or other crises. In addition, with the rise in ICE raids, many children experience traumatic separations when they are forcibly removed from their families. Too often, these children end up in immigration courts and, due to federal funding cuts, are even required to defend themselves without legal representation."

"As someone who believes deeply in caring for the well-being of children everywhere, I was struck by its findings. This recent report examined court proceedings involving unaccompanied minors in the United States Courts from 2009 to 2023. The report revealed that only 51% of unaccompanied minors had legal representation at any time during their court hearings. Nearly half of these children were deported (49%), and those without representation were far more likely to face this outcome."

Court proceedings in U.S. courts from 2009 to 2023 show only 51% of unaccompanied minors had legal representation at any time during hearings. Nearly half (49%) of these children were deported, and children without counsel were far more likely to be removed. Many unaccompanied minors arrive to escape violence, trafficking, poverty, natural disasters, or forced separations from family during ICE enforcement. Federal funding cuts contribute to situations where children must defend themselves without lawyers. The resulting double exclusion from home and from legal protection in U.S. courts produces trauma that can lead to PTSD, anxiety, depression, and attachment disruptions.

Read at Psychology Today