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Unaccompanied Minors

in The Criminal Justice


System
By: Cristina Rodriguez

What is the term Undocumented?


http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/13/us/immigration-undocumented-childr
en-explainer/index.html?iref=allsearch
Alien
Illegal
Immigrant
Legal Permanent Resident
U.S Citizen

Why are they crossing over?


Escaping violence
Gang activity
Alternative to submission
Poverty
Reuniting with family
Education opportunities

Source: http://www.npr.org/.rg/.

Current Statistics
Over 80,000 estimated undocumented minors in the U.S
Ages 4-17
92% increase in the number of immigrants 18 and younger who are
being arrested at the border with Mexico in comparison to the past
10 years
Some of the children are as young as 4. They have notes pinned
to their shirts giving authorities a name and phone number or
address of a relative in the United States.
Over 100 permanent shelters for unaccompanied minors
Pay $2000-$12,000 to cross over

Data

Source:
Cato.org

Data

Source: WOLA.org

Legal Processing
If children are from Mexico or Canada they are sent back to their
home countries
If not from border countries and they are caught at the border or
elsewhere they are taken to shelters some with horrible
conditions unless they are victims of trafficking
Federal law: minors cannot be held at a Border Patrol facility for
more than 72 hours
They have to be processed and then either sent to live with a
relative in the United States or released to a shelter operated by the
Office of Refugee Resettlement, under the Department of Health
and Human Services.

Legal Processing continued


Must be presented in front of an immigration judge
Special immigrant juvenile status is granted if children have been
neglected, abandoned, or abused and cannot be reunited with their
parents
Green card, adoption, or foster care
Asylum Petition: fear of prosecution based on race, religion, political
opinion, or social group
Immigration limbo
Justice Department makes final decision

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals


Requirements:
Under the age of 31 as of June,
2012
Came to the US before 16th
birthday
Resided and have continuously
resided US since June 15, 2007
Entered without inspection
Were born after June 15, 1981

Benefits:
Work Permit
Driver license
Some health benefits
Social Security

Alternative Options
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND): Provides free legal services for kids being
seen in court
Childrens village in Queens, New York
Educational opportunities
Teaches them about their rights
Language training
Food, shelter, and medical services
Legal services
Heartland Alliance

Possible Solutions?
Lobbying
Writing letter to your state representatives and congressmen
Awareness
Comprehensive immigration reform
Activism
Being an ally

Current Crisis & Discussion


Donald Trump Foreign Policy Suggestions
Refugee Children form Syria and other Nations
Should children be held accountable for immigration
offenses they committed when they were minors if they
are apprehended by immigration officers as adults?
Should children be deported back to their home country
when taken by authorities?

Works Cited
Basu, Moni. "Daniel's Journey: How Thousands of Children Are Creating a Crisis in America."
CNN.
CNN, 9 June 2014. Web. 1 Apr. 2016.
Farmer, Ann. "Under Age and Alone, Immigrants See a Softer Side of Detention." The New
York Times.
The New York Times, 14 July 2014. Web. 1 Apr. 2016.

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