Unaccompanied Minors and Political Socialization in the United States
By Palak Maniani Mentored by Dr. Rosanna Perotti
Who are they?
• Unaccompanied Minors: under the age of 18—who have arrived at the border without a parent or guardian and without legal status
• Hispanic males between the ages of 15-17; the number of girls and children younger than 14 have increased
• Northern Triangle: El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, areas in Central America
• Push factors: violence (domestic or gangs), deprivation of the quality of life and opportunities, extreme poverty, and deteriorating economy
• Pull factors: family reunification, educational opportunities, and work in the United States
Top Metropolitan Destinations for Central American Immigrants in the United States, 2009-13
Political Socialization & Integration
• Political socialization: type of learning where people establish the attitudes, opinions, values, and behaviors that are beneficial in becoming a good citizen in one’s country
• Trickle up approach: immigrant youth may help translate political material, initiate discussion, and influence behavior
• Extensive evaluation of sponsor: lack of resources (medical, mental, or financial), abuse and neglect
• Sponsors should be trained from UAC-related matters— immigration, trauma, mental health needs, financial responsibilities, etc.
Immigration & Court System
• Apprehension (CBP) → Removal proceedings (EOIR) → Detention center/courts (ORR) → Release
• Two most important factors determining outcome of cases: access to legal aid and location of hearing
• FY 2014: 75% (w/ legal representation) and 15% (w/o legal representation) were granted asylum in the US
• 90% of cases lacking legal aid resulted in deportation or voluntary departures
• Set uniform standards across the nation that all courts must follow regardless of location
• Gearing state authorities and the courts towards more childrenfriendly procedures
• Lawyers should be trained to handle special UAC cases appointed by the government (post-release services: location, medical services, education, etc.)
• Integrate interpreting services in court to increase effective and clear communication
• Task courts and the case managers with handling the documents related to UAC, alleviating burden from families
• Focus needs to be turned to the conditions within the detention centers, protecting victims of human trafficking, health and medical services
• Increase federal spending— FY 2022, the DHS accounted for other one percent of the federal government spending
• Extend need-base services to all UACs, at least in the initial phases—up to the case managers’ discretion
• Programs implemented at the educational level to coincide with integration (Kids in Need of Defense, and US Conference of Catholic Bishops, and The Youth Center)
• Trained staff and faculty members in handling UAC needs in a school setting in highly populated areas (talk to UACs, guidance to the appropriate resources, provide with emotional support)
• Educational curriculum should allow for flexility and cater to the specific needs of the UACs, specifically on political education
• Emphasis on providing language assistance and opportunities for social development and network with peers
• Appoint Educational Community Liaison for initial transition —navigate the school system and ensure placement in the appropriate level classes
• Focus on retention—to prevent UACs dropping out because of language problems or their need to work to send money back home
• Schools working with their local communities to create an inclusive environment that promotes the best interest for UACs
• Involving local organizations to lessen the divide between the UACs and the community
Psychological Impact & Mental Health
• Risk factors: separation from family, replacement—especially after short periods of time—difficulty in schools, isolation from peers, and language barriers
• Protective factors: intelligence, temperament, coping and problem-solving skills, gender, and religious orientation
• Exposed to harsh and impersonal conditions of detention centers; lack of beds, blankets, pillows, clean water, personal hygiene products, healthy food, etc.
• Meta-analysis of studies reveal that the most prevalent disorders are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and depression
• Lack of social, personal, and professional relationships, either with friends or family, can be detrimental to the development of one’s life
• State-funded health coverage for UACs that does not dependent on their immigration status
• Direct communication between for transferring medical records from the ORR and schools
• Trained health professionals in bilingualism and experience with UACs—trauma, personal injuries, and comfortability in communication
• Follow up and monitor UACs who are released with medical psychotropic or other prescriptions
• Entitlement to therapy post-release; rights to counsel should not be on an eligibility basis
• Therapists working with UACs should be specifically trained to discuss different types of trauma and be informed on how to handle entrusted information
• Therapists should have experience with working with immigration court and attorneys to recognize what evidence is admissible in court and favors the UAC’s case
Additional Recommendations
• Fill gaps in the literature: research should be focused on immigration matters involving UACs
• Gaps in the literature were more prominent when discussing political socialization and integration of UACs in the United States; those areas predominantly focused on native families and other immigrant populations
• Lack of cultural within group measures may weaken the validity and reliability of the findings.
• Limited literature on the effects of post-release service
• Understanding the long-term effects can evaluate the effectiveness of the aid and help isolate faulty and successful aspects
• Government can confidently provide more federal aid if these services are beneficial in the long-term
• Considering diversity, there are a few factors to consider: socio-economic factors, language, country of origin, formal schooling, etc.
• Several important implications
• High population of UACs end up residing in the US, so it is vital to study to dynamic of future generations
• Add to the studies that explain the needs of this vulnerable population
• If studies found that services are not significantly impacting the UACs, the efforts and finances can be directed other, alternative services
• By understanding socialization for UACs, society can help this population become active members of society
• Public opinion is divided and polarization dominates immigration policy changes so changes tend to be slow and minimal